Guidelines are very clear and simple. We are all sinners every single one of us. It does not matter if one is a Jew, a Christian, a Muslim, a Hindu, an Agnostic, an Atheist, a Preacher or a Saint. Every single one of us are fallen and are SIN positive and we need a Savior. That Savior is Jesus Christ. He (Jesus) did not come down here to create or make a religion. Jesus was the most anti-religious person probably to ever walk the face of the earth. He came to fulfill prophecy that was laid down in Eden and to save mankind. He came to offer the gift of salvation. Salvation is a gift. One does not have to accept it.

No one is going to go to (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) or be turned into a pillar of salt because of their SIN. They will go to (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) or salt because they refuse to accept the provision that God has given them as a gift for their SIN.

Jesus Christ is our Passover. He was the only SINless/innocent Man to ever walk the face of the earth and He was sacrificed for mine and your sins. It was you and me that put Him on that cross, He died for us.

He is the Son of God and also the sacrificial lamb. He is the blood of the Lamb that was placed on the door at Passover. He is the Rock and also the Way, the Truth, and the Life. His blood covers us and protects us if we accept it. Pretty simple

What do you think the words, Christ died for our sin's means? Does it mean He died for all sin that was committed before His time or does it mean all sin after His time? Or does it mean for all sin on Earth that will ever be committed? Does it mean that since He died for our sin's,we will all be cleansed of sin once we die? God is all loving and all forgiving if we believe in him. With that said, if we really Believe in God, we should all make it to Heaven someday. I am Catholic in my beliefs and I think we will All have to do a bit of penance once we die. That doesn't make a lot of sense to me, because the Bible tells us that God died on the cross for our sin's. If He already died for our sin's, then why do we have to pay for our sin's by doing penance before we can enter the gates of Heaven. Sounds like double jeopardy to me.

We don't stop sinning after we accept Christ and ask for forgiveness. There begins a change in us however for some there is as much as 32 years in between accepting and understanding what that really means. lol

While there are plenty of "don't dos" in the Bible there are many "please dos" from the Holy Spirit that are ignored or "disobeyed."

Can an innocent man that spent 20 years in jail commit murder when he is released because he already paid the price?

Such learned Biblical scholars on here made this an interesting read. Anybody remember the movie "Inherit the Wind"?

Mr. Wolf, I think it means that He died for all our sins, even the sin of the unborn that hasn’t even committed the sin yet. Before Jesus died, He said “It is finished.” In the Greek, which is what John was probably writing, the word Tetelestai also is used in monetary transactions and means “Paid in Full.”

Sure as followers of Christ, we will stumble along the way. But if we truly and deeply have faith and try to follow God’s Word it will change our lives for the better, and when we do stumble, I believe He will forgive us because that is what He promised. But we must be sincere and truly regretful for our actions. Only God knows the heart and how we really think and feel.

We live by faith and knowing that God keeps his promises. We don’t live by so called "facts", we live by His promises.

Depends what you mean by that. I don't think anyone believes every word in the Bible was spoken by God. That would be kind of silly, for a book that is recording events and other people's words. It is called the word of God because we believe God inspired the writings and preserved them. I would say it's inerrant in it's original form. The important thing to me is that the scriptures are inspired and inhabited by the Spirit. So, only with the Spirit's guidance can one fully receive what is meant for him in the Word.

Doing penance or Good works will never merit heaven for you, and this is where the Catholics get it wrong. They are told to rely on Christ, but also on the sacraments and their good deeds. We should do good works out of love for God, not out of fear of being rejected. Jesus died for the sins of all people, even in the past people were justified by believing the promise. But, that doesn't mean all will be saved, only those who believe. It's a gift, but one that has to be accepted.

Another question.

Many have felt the Spirit and governed their life believing that "Feeling" was guiding them, were they condemned because they didn't know His name?

Right on, brother. Couldn't have said it any better.

Lutherans, which is an offshoot of the Catholic church believe the same thing.
I agree with most of what he's stated except when he picks and chooses what's literal and what's symbolic or figurative.

When Jesus said, 'this is my body' and 'this is my blood' He was speaking symbolically, IMO. The bread and wine weren't obviously His real body or blood, but an example. No different than if I were to google map my house, show it to you, and tell you, "This is my house." It's not really my house, but an example of my house.

My point was that the difference between literal and figurative sometimes becomes a matter of interpretation as it is with Catholics and Lutherans differing from others such as Baptists, etc. I prefer to make my own judgement on what Jesus meant when he said this, not having to research a bunch of verses to make my point. It's OK if you want to do that, but for me it's not necessary, I just believe it.

I partake of the bread and wine because Jesus said to do this in commemoration of Him. It's like a remembrance. I sometimes think of this as a reverent toast to Him for what He did.

If God's purpose for the earth was to have perfect humans to fill the earth and subdue it, effectively extending Eden, and living forever on it then why do so many believe that the good go to heaven?

Originally, man was perfect. Then sin entered into the world, causing death to mankind and every living thing on the earth. Since all of mankind are the descendants, we all die. Prior to that there was no physical death.

We will be made perfect, He will subdue the earth and Create again the Garden, where we will return.

I see the thread has abandoned the creation/evolution question and moved on to salvation.

So, the consensus is that the Bible is not all literal truth?
And that "we" or "I" get to chose (interpret) what is or is not literally true?
Kind of; "I believe it's all Truth, but this and this are make believe literary devices." Aren't literary devices all by their very nature lies?

A mention of clear instruction on some things being figurative baffles me, I think I missed or misunderstood the instructions. Examples or explanation would be welcome.

The bible is pretty clear. John 6:65 "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them." Same goes for understanding. Natural man cant do it. Heres a good book on it.
http://www.hiddenhillssgbaptistchurch.or...derstanding.htm

Actually the thread answer no questions that were unknown prior.

The Bible does answer some questions regarding creation timeline and possible evolution of some species, depending on who is asking the questions. lol

Exactly. I don't pretend to know how or why God does everything. If I did, he wouldn't be God. I would be as smart as He is. A lot of atheists are arrogant enough to think that if they can't understand it, then it can't possibly be true.

Hobbie, if I have to explain to you why comparing a black woman to a monkey is racist then you have self-identified as one (a racist).


Jarhead

It read to me like he was suggesting the missing link might look similar to her. I didn't realize he referenced her color.

You are going to see what you want to see. Perhaps the racist is in the mirror.