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Sunday, April 10, 2011
Shabbat Shalom on yesterday
I attended a church yesterday that was so full of Love of G-d, Family and The Bible.
I woke up thinking... how did a whole day go by and I did not realize it.
We started sabbath school at 9:30 am... our topic was
"The Case for Faith" Yechezk'el (Ezekiel) chapter 28 versus 11 to 19.
At Sabbath Services started at 11:30 am and our topic was
Parashah 11:Vayigash (Genesis) chapter 44 versus 18 to 47:27
We had lunch and fellowship.... it was 2:30!!
I returned for Youth Vespars at 6:30 pm and we played a game with the males vs the ladies (parents & children) The ladies answered the most questions correctly from our lesson on Parasha 11: Vayigash.
I am refreshed and rejuvenated from spending my Sabbath with ADONAI ELOHIM!!
I woke up thinking... how did a whole day go by and I did not realize it.
We started sabbath school at 9:30 am... our topic was
"The Case for Faith" Yechezk'el (Ezekiel) chapter 28 versus 11 to 19.
At Sabbath Services started at 11:30 am and our topic was
Parashah 11:Vayigash (Genesis) chapter 44 versus 18 to 47:27
We had lunch and fellowship.... it was 2:30!!
I returned for Youth Vespars at 6:30 pm and we played a game with the males vs the ladies (parents & children) The ladies answered the most questions correctly from our lesson on Parasha 11: Vayigash.
I am refreshed and rejuvenated from spending my Sabbath with ADONAI ELOHIM!!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
The New Covenant
God made the New Covenant with Israel (Heb 8:10). And it is the children of promise who are counted as Israel (Rom 9:6-8). Among the children of promise there is now a remnant of those who are Israel according to the flesh and also believe in Christ (Rom 11:5-8). And God has grafted believing Gentiles in with believing Israel (Rom 11:17-18). So God has in Christ made one new man of all believers, Jew and Gentile. They are one in Christ (Eph 2:11-22). And all who are in Christ are Abraham's descendents and heirs according to promise (Gal 3:28-29). In short, God has made his covenant with all who are in Christ.
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_________________
Forum Code of Conduct
The Bible NETWork Doctrinal Statement
NET Bible Study Environment
Bible NETwork Blogs
Bible.org Users Site
Sunday, April 3, 2011
How to Be a Christian
A how to manual
Have you felt the tug of the spirit and love of God on your life? If you express the belief in Jesus Christ and love your neighbor, and Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are entering the life of a Christian through faith. Faith is an essential part of your personal life: as when you have faith in people to drive at 70 mph in two-way traffic with perhaps only a stripe separating you from a head on collision. Faith in God is not at all as scary as that example. If you have chosen to become a Christian, but you don't know whether there is more to do or not, this article will shed some light on receiving your new life and living in Christ's love.
Becoming a Christian is easy and does not require any rites or rituals. In most protestant churches Baptism is encouraged as a symbol of your conversion after repenting to God and being thankful for the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for payment of your sin debt. In the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, the Sacraments welcoming you into the Church are more involved, and you need to seek formal spiritual guidance (such as confirmation from a priest) in these Churches. Your new beginning in your new birth, however, leads into the personal development of serving each other and living in Christ as discussed below.
Steps
Conversion
1
See your need of Jesus - take a look at the Ten Commandments for a moment. Have you ever lied? Blasphemed? Stolen (even something small)? Looked at someone with adulterous or lustful feelings? In Christianity, we are born with original sin, and act as sinners through our lives, even after accepting Jesus: as Jesus said, "If you look upon a woman to lust, then you are guilty of adultery already" (Matthew 5:27-28). He also said, "If you hate your brother, then you are a murderer" (Matthew 5:21-22). You have to face God on judgment day to give an account of your sins. If you die in your sins, God has to send you away from Himself to hell, called the second death, for transgressing His law.
Realize, however, that He sent Jesus to give himself willingly on the cross and so if you believe, receive the Holy Spirit, and repent of your sins, then if you are saved you will also serve others as if it is to God.
As Son of Man he said "Father, if it is your will, let this pass from me -- nevertheless, 'not my will but thine be done'.") as a sacrifice for you so that you won't have to go to hell if you accept Him, "...Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away..." (Acts 3:19)[1]
2
Believe that Jesus died on the cross and rose again for your sins from the dead to pay the penalty for your sins and make you right with God.
3
Express repentance to God - Simply verbalize your regret for all the ways you have fallen short of his holiness. This is a good time to admit your personal failure and disobedience to God. Believe that Jesus Christ forgives you. Repentance always expresses itself in a changed life; you turn from sin and to Jesus Christ.
4
Express reliance upon God - Specifically, confess your spiritual need and acknowledge for yourself Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
5
Study as many Christian denominations(Catholic, Baptist, Lutheran, Pentecostal, Nondenominational, Methodist, Orthodox, etc) as possible, in order to decide which one is the closest to what Christ Taught.
Growth and Obedience
1
Find a community - We cannot walk alone in life. It is important that as a Christian you find a group of supportive and seasoned Christian believers who can help you and encourage you in your new faith and trust in God.
2
Be baptized - Baptism is about coming into the community of Christ. It is not a kind of work that you have to do to earn salvation; it is a depiction, sign, or symbol of God's work in your life. It may be thought of as a self portrait of your joining with Christ in the death and resurrection in your heart (core of your being) and in the eye of the observer. Baptism was described by the apostle Paul as: "Therefore we are planted together (united) with him by baptism into death: that as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."[2]
3
Continue your walk - After you have accepted Christ, fellowship with him in your daily life by praying, reading the Bible, and following Christ's example.
4
Love - Love Jesus and love others with the love that Jesus gives you. These things reflect your changed heart, and love one of the most important aspects of a Christian life.
Lying - Never lie to God or Jesus, but repent and seek, and then accept God's love and His plan and then be saved by His grace. It's really bad for you to not confess, repent and to be saved, but if you are not, you will then die in Hell -- and nobody ever wants that to happen -- if you ever want to see your friends and family in Heaven and to tell them all about your life. Well, isn't that what you want?
5
Be amazed when you understand what Ephesians 2:8--10 says:[3]
""8. For it is "by grace" you have been saved, "through faith"--
and this "not of yourselves", it is the "gift of God"--
9. "not by works", so that no one can boast.
10. For we are God's workmanship
"created" in Christ Jesus "to do good works",
which God prepared in advance for us to do."(Ephesians 2:8--10) So if you are saved live to do good to others, according to God's law of love...
6
Read the holy bible as much as possible: then you will begin to understand what you need to do with your walk with the Lord. In order to become a Christian, you need to grow in Christ:
You need the Gospel: The good news of Jesus Christ, that you broke His Law but Christ took your punishment, paying your sin-fine. It is not earned, it is strictly given by God's grace. He grants us repentance and faith in His Son in order to save us from Hell.
Believe the basic doctrine of Christ's redemptive death and resurrection
Repent of your sins and receiving Christ as your Lord and Savior.
Accept your gift from God in a daily walk with Christ: "By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Not by works, so that no one can boast."(Ephesians 2:8-9)
Two Simple Keys
1
Learn about Jesus and believe that He died, rose from the dead as your Savior and then pray and repent to the one, true God saying: "I am sorry for my sin, all my wrong doing; I want to change, and I truly thank you for everything and that I am now forgiven and saved from the penalty for my sins as a free gift. Thank you for your gift of The Holy Spirit in Jesus' name."
2
Tell others that "There is one Christ Jesus, the Son of God, who is Lord and Savior for everyone who believes, repents and follows him:" which should include going to Christian meetings, being baptized as a sign of accepting your new life, praying to God, reading the Bible, and showing God's love by kindness, forgiving others, making peace, having a faithful, loving relationship with believers, and when you sin asking for, and accepting, forgiveness, expecting consequences for some wrongs and going on, all in Christ Jesus' name -- with God as the one, true Judge of all things good or bad.
Tips
The Holy Bible states that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"(Romans 3:23). In other words, each and every person has done wrong.
Romans 6:23 continues, "The wages sin pays is death,but the gift God gives is everlasting life by Christ Jesus our Lord."
Because God loves us, He sacrificed His Son, Jesus Christ, as propitiatory sacrifice for our sins, in order for us to be able to approach God in prayer and to come into a personal relationship with Him.
The Holy Bible documents the redemptive works of God in this world.
The Protestant Bible contains 66 books divided into two categories of Old Testament and New Testament. The Catholic Bible contains 73 books, and the different Eastern Orthodox Bibles have varying numbers of books.
The first four books of the New Testament are called the Gospels because they record the "good news" of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
The book of John is generally recognized as a good place to start to understand the teachings of Jesus Christ
When reading the Bible, don't just read pages.
Reading pages just to look good and think you're doing a good thing is not the point. Simply study small portions at a time, or as much as you can mentally "absorb" without being overwhelmed.
You will find it helpful to continue to learn who Jesus says He is and what He has done.
It is extremely helpful to examine the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. You will want to learn how His sinless condition, His unjust execution and His resurrection from the dead transact forgiveness for those who believe in Him.
To all true Christians, Christianity is not just a religion of the adoration of the divine; it's a personal relationship with Jesus as your friend and comforter, the one mediator between God and man.
You may find it helpful to talk to a Christian. Choose someone that you respect for his or her integrity and knowledge as a Christian. Remember that God is always there for you. You can talk to Him any time, through prayer.
Know that when you become a true Christian, you will have a new attitude toward sin.
You should hate the sin that you used to love.
God will give you a new heart with new desires when you repent of your sins and turn to Him.
Remember that God loves you no matter what.
Also, God created you to be joyful in life. Please do not mistake Christianity as some set of moral codes to live by that takes away all the pleasures in life. Accept God as your exceeding joy; may that be the main issue. God is most glorified when you are most satisfied in Him. He created us to know, love, and serve Him, and to enjoy Him in this life and the next. When we fulfill the purpose we were created for, we experience deep fulfillment and joy even through the hard times in life.
Please don't waste this precious life, we only have one shot to make Christ as our purpose in everything.
Warnings
There are branches of Christianity which have differing approaches to doctrines. Seek out a Christian church that teaches from the Bible, not from their denominational writings (traditions of that church). Find books based on Biblical scriptures for doctrines that interest you.
You need to repent of your sins. Without true repentance, you cannot become a Christian.
Although you may have been told that when you become a Christian: things will get better; your marriage will heal; you won't be sick ever again; all problems in life will be absolved, etc.; that is simply untrue. Jesus said that because they hated Him, people will also hate you (Matthew 24:9). You may be mocked, laughed at and persecuted. Don't let this get you down. This life doesn't last very long, and your reward is great in heaven.
Although Christians do experience problems, they also experience amazing healings and miracles. Jesus has promised to help, so never give up hope.
Don't try to do things to earn your way to heaven because being saved is "not by works."(Ephesians 2:9) Your righteous deeds are "no more effective for true reconciliation with God than filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6). Visualize trying to clean or purify yourself with dirty rags...
Remember that all human beings are incomplete, sinful people. When you sin, repent of your sins.
There are many non-believers, but that doesn't mean you can't be friends with them. Be an example, your attitude should be like that of Christ. Although Christ sat and ate with sinners, He taught and lead them to become saints. We all stumble in many ways, remember the height from which you've fallen! Forgive as Christ God forgave you.
If you feel the need for change in your life, want to be free from the oppression of your sins, and want to learn to live a better life without the burdens of your past, then visit a Christian church and take a look at the Bible verse John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only son [Jesus], that whoever believes in him shall not die but will have everlasting life." This means that God sent his son Jesus to take on the burden of our sins and free us through our trust and belief in him.
The book of Revelations is the last book in the Bible and is a very interesting book to read, but jumping right in to it can be scary and give the reader the wrong message of mystical thrills, not faith. Be sure you understand the context of the Gospel before reading this complicated book of the Bible.
Be faithful in your witness for Christ. Every Christian is to preach the Gospel in word and deed, but do this with gentleness and respect. Christ did not preach what people wanted to hear, if He had, our Lord wouldn't have been crucified. People will get offended, but make sure if they do get offended it wasn't done unjustly or hypocritically.
You decide if you are a Christian. And not all people who call themselves Christians believe in the things laid out in the Bible or this article. Some do not believe in a Divine Jesus, Hell, or original sin. But they may still call themselves Christian. The most important thing about living as a Christian is believing in the point of life like Jesus taught, and following the Golden Rule. Of course, Jesus taught belief in God as real, all powerful and as the judge, and so to live as Jesus taught as Christian one will believe in God, and believe in Jesus also...
Keep a journal and write about your experiences with God in everyday life. For example, make a prayer journal such as keep a record of your prayer and results.
Things You'll Need
A bible.
Sources and Citations
↑ Acts 3:19 "Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away..."
↑ Romans 6:4 "new life"
↑ http://bible.cc/ephesians/2-8.htm
How to Be a Christian - wikiHow
Have you felt the tug of the spirit and love of God on your life? If you express the belief in Jesus Christ and love your neighbor, and Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are entering the life of a Christian through faith. Faith is an essential part of your personal life: as when you have faith in people to drive at 70 mph in two-way traffic with perhaps only a stripe separating you from a head on collision. Faith in God is not at all as scary as that example. If you have chosen to become a Christian, but you don't know whether there is more to do or not, this article will shed some light on receiving your new life and living in Christ's love.
Becoming a Christian is easy and does not require any rites or rituals. In most protestant churches Baptism is encouraged as a symbol of your conversion after repenting to God and being thankful for the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for payment of your sin debt. In the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, the Sacraments welcoming you into the Church are more involved, and you need to seek formal spiritual guidance (such as confirmation from a priest) in these Churches. Your new beginning in your new birth, however, leads into the personal development of serving each other and living in Christ as discussed below.
Steps
Conversion
1
See your need of Jesus - take a look at the Ten Commandments for a moment. Have you ever lied? Blasphemed? Stolen (even something small)? Looked at someone with adulterous or lustful feelings? In Christianity, we are born with original sin, and act as sinners through our lives, even after accepting Jesus: as Jesus said, "If you look upon a woman to lust, then you are guilty of adultery already" (Matthew 5:27-28). He also said, "If you hate your brother, then you are a murderer" (Matthew 5:21-22). You have to face God on judgment day to give an account of your sins. If you die in your sins, God has to send you away from Himself to hell, called the second death, for transgressing His law.
Realize, however, that He sent Jesus to give himself willingly on the cross and so if you believe, receive the Holy Spirit, and repent of your sins, then if you are saved you will also serve others as if it is to God.
As Son of Man he said "Father, if it is your will, let this pass from me -- nevertheless, 'not my will but thine be done'.") as a sacrifice for you so that you won't have to go to hell if you accept Him, "...Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away..." (Acts 3:19)[1]
2
Believe that Jesus died on the cross and rose again for your sins from the dead to pay the penalty for your sins and make you right with God.
3
Express repentance to God - Simply verbalize your regret for all the ways you have fallen short of his holiness. This is a good time to admit your personal failure and disobedience to God. Believe that Jesus Christ forgives you. Repentance always expresses itself in a changed life; you turn from sin and to Jesus Christ.
4
Express reliance upon God - Specifically, confess your spiritual need and acknowledge for yourself Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
5
Study as many Christian denominations(Catholic, Baptist, Lutheran, Pentecostal, Nondenominational, Methodist, Orthodox, etc) as possible, in order to decide which one is the closest to what Christ Taught.
Growth and Obedience
1
Find a community - We cannot walk alone in life. It is important that as a Christian you find a group of supportive and seasoned Christian believers who can help you and encourage you in your new faith and trust in God.
2
Be baptized - Baptism is about coming into the community of Christ. It is not a kind of work that you have to do to earn salvation; it is a depiction, sign, or symbol of God's work in your life. It may be thought of as a self portrait of your joining with Christ in the death and resurrection in your heart (core of your being) and in the eye of the observer. Baptism was described by the apostle Paul as: "Therefore we are planted together (united) with him by baptism into death: that as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."[2]
3
Continue your walk - After you have accepted Christ, fellowship with him in your daily life by praying, reading the Bible, and following Christ's example.
4
Love - Love Jesus and love others with the love that Jesus gives you. These things reflect your changed heart, and love one of the most important aspects of a Christian life.
Lying - Never lie to God or Jesus, but repent and seek, and then accept God's love and His plan and then be saved by His grace. It's really bad for you to not confess, repent and to be saved, but if you are not, you will then die in Hell -- and nobody ever wants that to happen -- if you ever want to see your friends and family in Heaven and to tell them all about your life. Well, isn't that what you want?
5
Be amazed when you understand what Ephesians 2:8--10 says:[3]
""8. For it is "by grace" you have been saved, "through faith"--
and this "not of yourselves", it is the "gift of God"--
9. "not by works", so that no one can boast.
10. For we are God's workmanship
"created" in Christ Jesus "to do good works",
which God prepared in advance for us to do."(Ephesians 2:8--10) So if you are saved live to do good to others, according to God's law of love...
6
Read the holy bible as much as possible: then you will begin to understand what you need to do with your walk with the Lord. In order to become a Christian, you need to grow in Christ:
You need the Gospel: The good news of Jesus Christ, that you broke His Law but Christ took your punishment, paying your sin-fine. It is not earned, it is strictly given by God's grace. He grants us repentance and faith in His Son in order to save us from Hell.
Believe the basic doctrine of Christ's redemptive death and resurrection
Repent of your sins and receiving Christ as your Lord and Savior.
Accept your gift from God in a daily walk with Christ: "By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Not by works, so that no one can boast."(Ephesians 2:8-9)
Two Simple Keys
1
Learn about Jesus and believe that He died, rose from the dead as your Savior and then pray and repent to the one, true God saying: "I am sorry for my sin, all my wrong doing; I want to change, and I truly thank you for everything and that I am now forgiven and saved from the penalty for my sins as a free gift. Thank you for your gift of The Holy Spirit in Jesus' name."
2
Tell others that "There is one Christ Jesus, the Son of God, who is Lord and Savior for everyone who believes, repents and follows him:" which should include going to Christian meetings, being baptized as a sign of accepting your new life, praying to God, reading the Bible, and showing God's love by kindness, forgiving others, making peace, having a faithful, loving relationship with believers, and when you sin asking for, and accepting, forgiveness, expecting consequences for some wrongs and going on, all in Christ Jesus' name -- with God as the one, true Judge of all things good or bad.
Tips
The Holy Bible states that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"(Romans 3:23). In other words, each and every person has done wrong.
Romans 6:23 continues, "The wages sin pays is death,but the gift God gives is everlasting life by Christ Jesus our Lord."
Because God loves us, He sacrificed His Son, Jesus Christ, as propitiatory sacrifice for our sins, in order for us to be able to approach God in prayer and to come into a personal relationship with Him.
The Holy Bible documents the redemptive works of God in this world.
The Protestant Bible contains 66 books divided into two categories of Old Testament and New Testament. The Catholic Bible contains 73 books, and the different Eastern Orthodox Bibles have varying numbers of books.
The first four books of the New Testament are called the Gospels because they record the "good news" of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
The book of John is generally recognized as a good place to start to understand the teachings of Jesus Christ
When reading the Bible, don't just read pages.
Reading pages just to look good and think you're doing a good thing is not the point. Simply study small portions at a time, or as much as you can mentally "absorb" without being overwhelmed.
You will find it helpful to continue to learn who Jesus says He is and what He has done.
It is extremely helpful to examine the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. You will want to learn how His sinless condition, His unjust execution and His resurrection from the dead transact forgiveness for those who believe in Him.
To all true Christians, Christianity is not just a religion of the adoration of the divine; it's a personal relationship with Jesus as your friend and comforter, the one mediator between God and man.
You may find it helpful to talk to a Christian. Choose someone that you respect for his or her integrity and knowledge as a Christian. Remember that God is always there for you. You can talk to Him any time, through prayer.
Know that when you become a true Christian, you will have a new attitude toward sin.
You should hate the sin that you used to love.
God will give you a new heart with new desires when you repent of your sins and turn to Him.
Remember that God loves you no matter what.
Also, God created you to be joyful in life. Please do not mistake Christianity as some set of moral codes to live by that takes away all the pleasures in life. Accept God as your exceeding joy; may that be the main issue. God is most glorified when you are most satisfied in Him. He created us to know, love, and serve Him, and to enjoy Him in this life and the next. When we fulfill the purpose we were created for, we experience deep fulfillment and joy even through the hard times in life.
Please don't waste this precious life, we only have one shot to make Christ as our purpose in everything.
Warnings
There are branches of Christianity which have differing approaches to doctrines. Seek out a Christian church that teaches from the Bible, not from their denominational writings (traditions of that church). Find books based on Biblical scriptures for doctrines that interest you.
You need to repent of your sins. Without true repentance, you cannot become a Christian.
Although you may have been told that when you become a Christian: things will get better; your marriage will heal; you won't be sick ever again; all problems in life will be absolved, etc.; that is simply untrue. Jesus said that because they hated Him, people will also hate you (Matthew 24:9). You may be mocked, laughed at and persecuted. Don't let this get you down. This life doesn't last very long, and your reward is great in heaven.
Although Christians do experience problems, they also experience amazing healings and miracles. Jesus has promised to help, so never give up hope.
Don't try to do things to earn your way to heaven because being saved is "not by works."(Ephesians 2:9) Your righteous deeds are "no more effective for true reconciliation with God than filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6). Visualize trying to clean or purify yourself with dirty rags...
Remember that all human beings are incomplete, sinful people. When you sin, repent of your sins.
There are many non-believers, but that doesn't mean you can't be friends with them. Be an example, your attitude should be like that of Christ. Although Christ sat and ate with sinners, He taught and lead them to become saints. We all stumble in many ways, remember the height from which you've fallen! Forgive as Christ God forgave you.
If you feel the need for change in your life, want to be free from the oppression of your sins, and want to learn to live a better life without the burdens of your past, then visit a Christian church and take a look at the Bible verse John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only son [Jesus], that whoever believes in him shall not die but will have everlasting life." This means that God sent his son Jesus to take on the burden of our sins and free us through our trust and belief in him.
The book of Revelations is the last book in the Bible and is a very interesting book to read, but jumping right in to it can be scary and give the reader the wrong message of mystical thrills, not faith. Be sure you understand the context of the Gospel before reading this complicated book of the Bible.
Be faithful in your witness for Christ. Every Christian is to preach the Gospel in word and deed, but do this with gentleness and respect. Christ did not preach what people wanted to hear, if He had, our Lord wouldn't have been crucified. People will get offended, but make sure if they do get offended it wasn't done unjustly or hypocritically.
You decide if you are a Christian. And not all people who call themselves Christians believe in the things laid out in the Bible or this article. Some do not believe in a Divine Jesus, Hell, or original sin. But they may still call themselves Christian. The most important thing about living as a Christian is believing in the point of life like Jesus taught, and following the Golden Rule. Of course, Jesus taught belief in God as real, all powerful and as the judge, and so to live as Jesus taught as Christian one will believe in God, and believe in Jesus also...
Keep a journal and write about your experiences with God in everyday life. For example, make a prayer journal such as keep a record of your prayer and results.
Things You'll Need
A bible.
Sources and Citations
↑ Acts 3:19 "Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away..."
↑ Romans 6:4 "new life"
↑ http://bible.cc/ephesians/2-8.htm
How to Be a Christian - wikiHow
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