Posted on 09/15/2002 5:20:45 PM PDT by jstone78
Learned Jewish scholars don't agree.
To the extent that this fails to be so, these congregations are failing a Christian ideal (at least in the dispensational model). In order that Christian eschatological prophesies be fulfilled, Jews need to retain their identity as a people. That seems to imply that Gentile Christians should not lightly countenance the extinction of Jewish ethnic identity. They should actually encourage the Jewish Christian congregations to keep their ethnic identity, rather than to become white bread "global Christians").
What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
Romans 3:1-2 (KJV)
>Are you in the habit of deliberately misquoting the Bible? No Bible translation reads that way. A special place in Hell is reserved for people who reword the Bible to say what they want it to say!
You know I am in the habit of making long full text KJB quotes. Because I made a long post in #63, I did not set out the full verse in this instance. Its meaning is not hidden from me and is simple enough for a child to understand. If you have a different meaning then perhaps you have embraced the false doctrine of Replacement Theology and/or you are following a Nicolaitan. Here is the King James Bible for everyone to read in plain English. Here is the Truth, should you choose to accept it: Ps 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. If the words have no place in you or you twist them to a new meaning, then understanding will not be given you.
Ro 3:1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?
2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
This thread has a strong stream of anti-semitism running through it under the guise of supposed Jewish bigotry against Christians and has disintegrated into name-calling. While you all bite and devour each other, I will go away and agree with NativeNewYorker in #4 who said:
>"But please have some sympathy for a people who've seen this all before (many times) and simply want to be left alone."
Not to mention a serious felony -- basically a threat of murder. If that's the way it really was played out, which would have been far in excess of what is needed to scare off Jehovah's Witnesses, who (or so the ex-JW founder of Free Minds tells me) are terrified of anything supernatural. A simple claim to manifest some kind of demonic phenomenon would have sent the JW's packing.
Not that (let me hasten to add) I am advocating any such thing! The demonic is (duh!) evil. It just sounds more like a tall tale to me than anything realistic.
The hostility stems not from their (JFJ) beliefs, but from their behavior.
I will only address part of your spewings:
Look up the meaning of the greek word for "kingdom." It's "basileia" and does not mean a king, a government, society, royal family or religion. It means the power and authority by which a king rules. Jesus said that "kingdom" is within you. He also said that it does not come with observation. He was speaking to believers and nonbelievers alike when he said that. He then went on to show what the power and authority can do by healing the sick, raising the dead and casting out demons. He taught his disciples to do the same. One of the first things he did was send out twelve and then another seventy who performed miracles. This was done at a time when he could not give them the holy Spirit by which to do miracles.(John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.) It was the power and authority of the kingdom by which these things were done. And that is what the gospel of the kingdom was all about. That power and authority was at hand - literally at their fingertips as it is today. But in order to weild that power, they needed to repent - turn away from their sins and ask forgiveness of God. John was preaching the gospel of the kingdom and repentance before Jesus went public and began his ministry.
If you cannot understand the gospel of the kingdom, how can you understand those other scriptures you quote?
If you really understood who Jesus really was, you would have so many signs and wonders following you around that people would be seeking you out - you wouldn't have to seek them. Until you reach that exalted state, I suggest you keep your faith to yourself and let the Jews be. As it is written:
John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Where I walk those signs follow me. God tells me I'm on the right path. I am not alone - there are others who know of which I speak and walk as I walk. Jesus said to "seek ye first the kingdom of God." (kingdom=power & authority) He did not say to seek any thing else first.
And, addressing repentance: Do you know what Yom Kippur is all about? Do you know anything about Jews repenting of their sins? Do or did you ever do it with the same singleness of purpose and conviction? Do you think a devout Jew does not believe God even as Abraham did?
Romans 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
"But the question is what Muslims are supposed to believe. Ahmed's point is that, if Muslims do not proselytize among Christians, they will be denying their own beliefs -- or at least what they claim are their beliefs."
Every person has their own philosophical "row to hoe" and how they do it should be nobody else's business. If I want to discuss my atheism with someone whom I know to be religious, I ask them that we honor each other's differences of outlook. If it seems that this is not going to work, I smile and ask, "Well, anyway, how are the kids?" and drop it. My ego is not dependant on converting anyone else to my philosophy. Life's too short, anyway.
Not every single Christian, even of the early church, went around flashing miracles every which way. That would, however, seem to be the way you are taking this quotation of Jesus Christ.
P.S. can you furnish us with examples of this? I'm not saying it's impossible, but I suspect you wouldn't be posting on Free Republic if you were in a situation typical of those in which miracles are manifested today (i.e. remote areas with a lot of demonic activity, martyrdom, and great dangers).
You slingin' bull???
Thank you for illustrating my point. This sort of hostility toward Christians and their beliefs is exactly what I was talking about.
Thank you for illustrating my point.
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