Scripture informs us that we are to be in the world - but not of the world. These verses help explain the difference:
1Jo 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1Jo 2:16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.
In a previous comment thread, a commentator wrote objections about Glenn Beck "leading" Christians because he is a Mormon. First, I don't think that he has the power to lead any Christian either to or away from true faith in Christ. Second, I do think that Beck is correct about being very wary of the "social justice" religious movement. I think that they are far more dangerous to the gospel of Jesus Christ than Mormonism. Why? Because they are disguised as a "Christian" group. At least with Mormonism, we know that the addition of the book of Mormon has been forbidden as genuine Scripture (via what is written in the Book of Revelation) because it was added after the canon of God's Word was final. We are not to add or subtract from the original Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments.
Even the terms "social justice" sound like they could be deemed as "biblical." But the fact that the social justice leftists use the term in a completely different way and want to create a kind of "utopia" here on earth gives their motives away; at least to those who are discerning. Rather than preach the true Gospel of Jesus Christ to the brokenhearted - sinners who are in desperate need of repentance, forgiveness, and salvation through the Savior - their focus on social justice demonstrates exactly what we are warned about in Scripture.
What the utopia "social justice" crowd wants is the exact opposite of what Christ preached:
Rom 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Christ could not be clearer than when He made the claim that He "is not of this world" in the following verses:
Jhn 8:23 And He said to them, "You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.
Jhn 18:36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here."
Those who would place their own minds, wisdom and knowledge above God's written Word - the Bible; or, above God's Living Word - Jesus Christ (usually done through rejection of his sacrificial death on the cross at Calvary), are typically guilty of a myriad of errors. Whether the error they have involves a false religion, skeptism, agnosticism, atheism, heresy, apostasy, or spreading a false gospel; each and every one prevents individual souls from bridging the huge gulf between their sinful condition and the Creator - our Holy and Righteous God.
1Cr 1:20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
The "social justice" crowd is deeply embedded with the "foolish wisdom of this world." They display their own kind of false gospel through utilizing a kind of "fleshly wisdom":
2Cr 1:12 For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you.
When determining whether or not someones spirit is confessing the truth of the Spirit of God - the Bible tells us that "every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God," and "every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God."
Furthermore, we find that "he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error."
What's more, a true believer's testimony would always include: "And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world."
If a religious movement of any kind does not recognize Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Savior of the world, then he/she is in error.
Note what the following verse tells us:
1Jo 4:15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
The following is the entire chapter of 1 John 4. Take heed of all that is written!
1Jo 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
1Jo 4:2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,
1Jo 4:3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
1Jo 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
1Jo 4:5 They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them.
1Jo 4:6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
1Jo 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
1Jo 4:8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
1Jo 4:9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
1Jo 4:10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1Jo 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1Jo 4:12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.
1Jo 4:13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.
1Jo 4:14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world.
1Jo 4:15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
1Jo 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
1Jo 4:17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.
1Jo 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
1Jo 4:19 We love Him because He first loved us.
1Jo 4:20 If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?
1Jo 4:21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.
NKJV Footnotes:
(4:3) NU-Text omits that and Christ has come in the flesh.
(4:19) NU-Text omits Him.
(4:20) NU-Text reads he cannot.
Hat Tip:
Blue Letter Bible
Showing posts with label Sola Scriptura. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sola Scriptura. Show all posts
What On Earth is the Millennium?
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Last week, I introduced readers of this blog to Dr. David Jeremiah's new series, "Revealing the Mysteries of Heaven." Today's broadcast certainly doesn't disappoint! In fact, it brings much greater clarity to what is meant by what the Bible calls, "The Millennium."
A brief background:
The 1,000 years (Revelation 20:2-4) are often referred to as the Millennnium (Latin for 1,000). Just how and when this 1,000 years takes place is understood differently among Christian scholars. The three major positions on this issue are called postmillennialism, premillennialism, and amillennialism.
Today's broadcast, "What On Earth is the Millennium?" is covered in great detail, using Bible verses from the Old Testament to support the premillennialism view that Dr. Jeremiah reveals in his sermon.
Last week, I ordered the DVD set, book, and five study guides. This series is so good that I want to share it again with a group of five friends in my home! A few days ago, I got an email that told me the "Revealing the Mysteries of Heaven" DVD, book, and study guide set is on backorder! It's THAT popular!
I was planning on viewing all of the lessons that I had previously missed in the series when I got my set. But now, I find that since I will have to wait until mid-April to get the entire set, I want to view the previous sermons available online at LightSource. com: Turning Point.
Briefly, I want to point out that some Christians may believe in "Postmillennialism" or "Amillennialism." These are different views about the Millennium, but they need not cause division and controversy in the church because each view acknowledges what is most crucial to Christianity - Christ will return, defeat Satan, and reign forever! Despite what an individual Christian believes regarding the Millennium, Jesus Christ will unite all believers. Therefore, we should not let this issue divide us.
I once got into an argument...make that a "discussion" regarding the differing ideas about "whatever and whenever" the Millennium will be. Neither one of us ended up convincing the other of our views regarding this issue. Sometimes that's the way it goes!
However, the way that Dr. Jeremiah covers it in this series, the Premillennialism view fits with Scripture (IMHO) MUCH better than the other views do.
Hat Tips:
David Jeremiah.org
LightSource.com
Warning: Not Politically Correct Post on Religion
In the comment section of a previous post, the conversation shifted towards a conversation about whether or not Christians, Jews, and Muslims worship the same God.
Inevitably, when different religions are compared and contrasted, SOMEONE gets angry, hurt, sad, and/or disillusioned. Or, screams of intolerance, bigotry, and hate abound. When the disagreements fly, so do the attacks. I am hoping that it doesn't come to that, here.
This is why I am prefacing this post with the title:
Warning: Not Politically Correct Post on Religion.
SOMEONE, inevitably, will get angry about this post.
I just hope that we can have a civil, meaningful, respectful type of DISAGREEMENT on these issues.
With that said, here is how the conversation began:
You and all Muslims are entitled to your own beliefs.
Jews are entitled to their own beliefs.
Christians are entitled to their own beliefs.
However, when comparing the religions - they cannot possibly all be correct.
I have already shared my analysis about the differences between Islam and Christianity. In case you missed it, here is the link:
Do Muslims and Christians Worship the same God?
For Jews, it is a different story.
Christianity came, as a result of the fulfilled prophecies about the Messiah from the Old Testament writings from Judaism. It wasn't a made up religion (sorry - but true) by a self-proclaimed prophet who died and stayed in the grave.
Jesus rose from the dead, proving who he was and all that he claimed. He fulfilled most of the 300 plus prophecies written about the coming Messiah in the Old Testament. The remaining Messianic prophecies will be fulfilled at his second coming.
There are (currently) Messianic Jews who see Jesus as their Messiah. When Jesus returns the second time - many of the Jews living at that time will join in belief in Him along with their Messianic Jew brothers and sisters.
To be brief, I often like to share a discussion (paraphrased here) that I heard and saw on the Larry King show. Billy Graham was his guest.
Graham (again, paraphrased here) asked King, 'if the Messiah were to return today, what question would you ask him?'
King (paraphrased here) answered, 'is this your first or second visit?'
Basically, in a secular-put nutshell, that is what will be realized by the remnant of religious Jews who will still be looking for their Messiah in the end times.
This is the Christian worldview on this subject. Many Jews who might visit this blog and read this may not agree. It may even anger them. But the prophecies yet to be fulfilled from the OT actually state that they will "look upon Him whom they had pierced." At the crucifixion, John shared this fulfilled prophecy in his gospel:
Jhn 19:37 And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.
The John 19:37 verse came from the prophecy of Zechariah:
Zec 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for [his] only [son], and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for [his] firstborn.
Revelation reveals that the Jews will realize that Jesus, whom they (along with the Romans and all of us sinners) had pierced, IS the long-awaited Messiah after all.
Rev 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they [also] which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
As Christians, Scripture has told us to revere the Holy Land of Israel. Preserve, protect, and partner with the "apple of God's eye" - Jerusalem.
We know that the Holy Land has been fought over for thousands of years. It is the focal point of Biblical prophecy, too.
Well, I'm getting too far off the subject so I will end here.
This HAS NOT been a politically correct comment. However, I have tried to share the truth as I have come to believe through the written Word of God. There is much, much more that can be said about all of this. I have attempted to be brief and to the point.
October 17, 2008 10:44:00 AM PDT
Anyone who wishes to add to this discussion, please feel free to share what you have to say in the comment section.
Inevitably, when different religions are compared and contrasted, SOMEONE gets angry, hurt, sad, and/or disillusioned. Or, screams of intolerance, bigotry, and hate abound. When the disagreements fly, so do the attacks. I am hoping that it doesn't come to that, here.
This is why I am prefacing this post with the title:
Warning: Not Politically Correct Post on Religion.
SOMEONE, inevitably, will get angry about this post.
I just hope that we can have a civil, meaningful, respectful type of DISAGREEMENT on these issues.
With that said, here is how the conversation began:
Umm Yasmin said...
Actually Christine, Arab Christians use the word "Allah" because it literally just means "the God" in Arabic :)
Both Christians and Muslims believe there is only one God who created everything that exists; who is omniscient; timeless; and unchanging.
Whether you use one set of phonemes or another doesn't mean there is more than one God.
October 14, 2008 5:16:00 PM PDT
Christinewjc said...
So...umm yasmin,
Are you claiming that Christians and Muslims worship the same God?
October 14, 2008 7:23:00 PM PDT
GMpilot said...
CJW:
Are you claiming that Christians and Muslims worship the same God?
Yeah...the Jews, too. All worship the same God (which is why they are referred to as the "Abrahamic" religions). All three faiths claim Abraham as their founder.
Of course, none of them can agree on the exact characteristics of this God (except the ones umm yasmin listed), or its precise nature.
Those of us who do not worship any gods can only shake our heads.
October 14, 2008 11:25:00 PM PDT
Gary Baker said... [Note: edited for the purpose of this subject.]
Also, your argument on worship is contradictory. If people worship Gods with differing characteristics, they are not worshiping the same God. The Muslim god venerates in death in that the only way that you can guarantee yourself eternal life is martyrdom in the cause of Jihad. Outside of that, it basically comes down to a coin toss.
October 16, 2008 5:07:00 PM PDT
Umm Yasmin said...
Hi Christine,
Yes - of course, we may well (and do) disagree on how God has interacted in human history. Even Jews and Christians disagree on that score.
So if you say we (Muslims and Christians) are worshipping different deities, then this also means that the God that Jews worship is not the same God that Christians worship for obvious reasons (namely that Jews don't believe God has come to earth in the human form of Jesus Christ, just as Muslims don't).
October 16, 2008 6:47:00 PM PDT
Umm -Let me preface this by stating that what I will share will inevitably anger someone. That is not my intention, but it often happens when discussing various religious beliefs.Umm Yasmin said...
Hi Gary,
"The Muslim god venerates in death in that the only way that you can guarantee yourself eternal life is martyrdom in the cause of Jihad."
Actually, this is incorrect. There are two separate questions here: a) can anyone guarantee they have eternal life b) does jihad give guarantee of eternal life. They are related however.
Muslims believe that God promises to reward with Paradise, those who devote themselves wholeheartedly to Him and work righteousness in the world. There is no doubt about that at all. This type of person by definition is a Muslim, and has the assurance of salvation and eternal life in the hereafter.
The question is better asked, how do I know I am living up to being a true Muslim?
This is the same questions Christians might ask of themselves in regard to Christianity's promises about salvation. Because it is possible for someone to have been a Christian all their lives, but on their deathbed renounce Christ and blaspheme the Holy Spirit - would they be assured of eternal life? Matthew 7:21-23 says not.
Are atheists who were former Christians still saved? If you say their Christianity wasn't genuine, but if they honestly believed at the time it was, how do you not know you might end up the same way yourself? How can any Christian *guarantee* what they will do in the future that might invalidate their salvation?
In Islam, everything is judged by intention, and even someone who is martyred in jihad is not assured of salvation, if their intention was merely mundane or political. As Prophet Muhammad said: "One who died and had no intention for jihad, died as a hypocrite." (narrated in Muslim & Abu Dawud). As for whether God venerates death, well the Qur'an denies this when it says: "Kill not one another. Lo! God is ever Merciful unto you." (4:29)
October 16, 2008 7:13:00 PM PDT
You and all Muslims are entitled to your own beliefs.
Jews are entitled to their own beliefs.
Christians are entitled to their own beliefs.
However, when comparing the religions - they cannot possibly all be correct.
I have already shared my analysis about the differences between Islam and Christianity. In case you missed it, here is the link:
Do Muslims and Christians Worship the same God?
For Jews, it is a different story.
Christianity came, as a result of the fulfilled prophecies about the Messiah from the Old Testament writings from Judaism. It wasn't a made up religion (sorry - but true) by a self-proclaimed prophet who died and stayed in the grave.
Jesus rose from the dead, proving who he was and all that he claimed. He fulfilled most of the 300 plus prophecies written about the coming Messiah in the Old Testament. The remaining Messianic prophecies will be fulfilled at his second coming.
There are (currently) Messianic Jews who see Jesus as their Messiah. When Jesus returns the second time - many of the Jews living at that time will join in belief in Him along with their Messianic Jew brothers and sisters.
To be brief, I often like to share a discussion (paraphrased here) that I heard and saw on the Larry King show. Billy Graham was his guest.
Graham (again, paraphrased here) asked King, 'if the Messiah were to return today, what question would you ask him?'
King (paraphrased here) answered, 'is this your first or second visit?'
Basically, in a secular-put nutshell, that is what will be realized by the remnant of religious Jews who will still be looking for their Messiah in the end times.
This is the Christian worldview on this subject. Many Jews who might visit this blog and read this may not agree. It may even anger them. But the prophecies yet to be fulfilled from the OT actually state that they will "look upon Him whom they had pierced." At the crucifixion, John shared this fulfilled prophecy in his gospel:
Jhn 19:37 And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.
[please note: I am NOT CLAIMING THAT THE JEWS , ALONE, WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR CHRIST'S CRUCIFIXION. THE TRUTH IS - ALL SINNERS ARE! WE ARE ALL RESPONSIBLE! AND, WE ARE EACH - AND EVERY ONE OF US - SINNERS IN NEED OF THE SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST!]
The John 19:37 verse came from the prophecy of Zechariah:
Zec 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for [his] only [son], and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for [his] firstborn.
Revelation reveals that the Jews will realize that Jesus, whom they (along with the Romans and all of us sinners) had pierced, IS the long-awaited Messiah after all.
Rev 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they [also] which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
As Christians, Scripture has told us to revere the Holy Land of Israel. Preserve, protect, and partner with the "apple of God's eye" - Jerusalem.
We know that the Holy Land has been fought over for thousands of years. It is the focal point of Biblical prophecy, too.
Well, I'm getting too far off the subject so I will end here.
This HAS NOT been a politically correct comment. However, I have tried to share the truth as I have come to believe through the written Word of God. There is much, much more that can be said about all of this. I have attempted to be brief and to the point.
October 17, 2008 10:44:00 AM PDT
Anyone who wishes to add to this discussion, please feel free to share what you have to say in the comment section.
Life Begins At Conception
Received a comment on a thread from last month which argued about whether or not certain verses I had shared (regarding the biblical view that life begins at the moment of conception) were appropriately used for that view.
Here is the comment:
UY wrote:
The fact is that Scripture interprets Scripture. Using just one verse (or, even scattered verses) to make one's point may not be "in line" with what the whole of Scripture tells us. False teachers make that mistake all the time.
However, when it comes to the "life begins at conception" argument, an examination of such a concept through the utilization of several Scriptures DOES make the point for such a belief!
Since God knows the past, present and future, He knew each of us well before we were even born.
The prophecies in the Old Testament which pointed to the Messiah, his birth, his ministry, his rejection, his crucifixion, his death on the cross and resurrection from the dead were all fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
I'm sure that many readers here can add to the following response. Please feel free to do so!
Here is my answer to UY:
There are many Bible verses that reference the fact that God "knew" us before we were born while in the womb.
Job 31:15 Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb?
Psa 71:6 By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise [shall be] continually of thee.
Psa 127:3 Lo, children [are] an heritage of the LORD: [and] the fruit of the womb [is his] reward.
Psa 139:13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
Ecc 11:5 As thou knowest not what [is] the way of the spirit, [nor] how the bones [do grow] in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.
Isa 44:2 Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, [which] will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen.
He knows our name before we are even born:
Isa 49:1 Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.
Jer 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, [and] I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Conception is mentioned here:
Hsa 9:11 [As for] Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird, from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception.
God even sent angelic messengers to tell of certain births and give the name of the child beforehand:
Luk 1:13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
Luk 1:14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
Luk 1:15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
Luke 1:15 is describing John the Baptist. Note that he was filled with the Holy Ghost (Spirit) even from his mother's womb. This gives us a hint as to why the unborn infant John "leaped in Elisabeth's womb" when Mary, who was with child (Jesus) came near!
Luk 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
Luk 1:41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
Luk 1:42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed [art] thou among women, and blessed [is] the fruit of thy womb.
Luk 1:44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
Jesus' name was given before he was conceived in the womb:
Luk 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
We also read the fact that believers in Jesus Christ are "called according to his purpose."
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.
Notice what Paul says about his former self (as a persecutor of Christians) before he was converted on the Road to Damascus by Jesus Christ, Himself.
Galatians Chapter 1
Note these specific verses, too:
Gal 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called [me] by his grace,
Gal 1:16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
Gal 1:17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
Gal 1:18 ¶ Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
Gal 1:19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.
Gal 1:20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.
Gal 1:21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;
Gal 1:22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:
Gal 1:23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.
September 23, 2008 8:28:00 AM PDT
*******
Please see an excellent post written by Bill Muehlenberg on the topic of abortion over at Culture Watch:
Morality, Reason and Abortion
Conclusion:
Here is the comment:
UY wrote:
Peace!
I'm not a Christian, and thus do not take my position on abortion from the Bible.
With that caveat out of the way, I wanted to simply point out that the Biblical verses you reference don't mention point of conception, merely a vague reference to the 'womb'.
Consequently, those verses could easily be used to support permission for abortion only in the early weeks (before the foetus can kick, twins can struggle in the womb etc.)
September 23, 2008 5:41:00 AM PDT
The fact is that Scripture interprets Scripture. Using just one verse (or, even scattered verses) to make one's point may not be "in line" with what the whole of Scripture tells us. False teachers make that mistake all the time.
However, when it comes to the "life begins at conception" argument, an examination of such a concept through the utilization of several Scriptures DOES make the point for such a belief!
Since God knows the past, present and future, He knew each of us well before we were even born.
The prophecies in the Old Testament which pointed to the Messiah, his birth, his ministry, his rejection, his crucifixion, his death on the cross and resurrection from the dead were all fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
I'm sure that many readers here can add to the following response. Please feel free to do so!
Here is my answer to UY:
There are many Bible verses that reference the fact that God "knew" us before we were born while in the womb.
Job 31:15 Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb?
Psa 71:6 By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise [shall be] continually of thee.
Psa 127:3 Lo, children [are] an heritage of the LORD: [and] the fruit of the womb [is his] reward.
Psa 139:13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
Ecc 11:5 As thou knowest not what [is] the way of the spirit, [nor] how the bones [do grow] in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.
Isa 44:2 Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, [which] will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen.
He knows our name before we are even born:
Isa 49:1 Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.
Jer 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, [and] I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Conception is mentioned here:
Hsa 9:11 [As for] Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird, from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception.
God even sent angelic messengers to tell of certain births and give the name of the child beforehand:
Luk 1:13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
Luk 1:14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
Luk 1:15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
Luke 1:15 is describing John the Baptist. Note that he was filled with the Holy Ghost (Spirit) even from his mother's womb. This gives us a hint as to why the unborn infant John "leaped in Elisabeth's womb" when Mary, who was with child (Jesus) came near!
Luk 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
Luk 1:41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
Luk 1:42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed [art] thou among women, and blessed [is] the fruit of thy womb.
Luk 1:44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
Jesus' name was given before he was conceived in the womb:
Luk 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
We also read the fact that believers in Jesus Christ are "called according to his purpose."
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.
Notice what Paul says about his former self (as a persecutor of Christians) before he was converted on the Road to Damascus by Jesus Christ, Himself.
Galatians Chapter 1
Note these specific verses, too:
Gal 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called [me] by his grace,
Gal 1:16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
Gal 1:17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
Gal 1:18 ¶ Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
Gal 1:19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.
Gal 1:20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.
Gal 1:21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;
Gal 1:22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:
Gal 1:23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.
September 23, 2008 8:28:00 AM PDT
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Please see an excellent post written by Bill Muehlenberg on the topic of abortion over at Culture Watch:
Morality, Reason and Abortion
Conclusion:
The facts on abortion are so clear, and the case against it so strong, that the pro-death crowd has to resort to twisted thinking, convoluted reasoning, and dodgy morality to try to make its case. But baby killing is still baby killing, no matter how it is dressed up or re-packaged.
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