'Reductionist' versus 'Complete' view of the Gospel
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Wow! That is GREAT news! I am so happy that you have chosen to do that . . . it gave me goosebumps. I am so jealous of you that you get to read the Story this way for the first time. It’s like being in a theater watching the most thrilling movie you’ve ever seen. For me, that movie was Saving Private Ryan and Silence of the Lambs. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing and hearing. It will be the same as you read the Bible in the timeline, chronological order (TLC). Let me give you a few pointers.
Use the Triangle of Truth (as I have coined it) diagram below as your base . . . your foundation of Scripture. If you ponder these text sets as you read the entire Bible, your entire understanding of this Holy and remarkable Book will change completely.
When you get to the “Law,” I realize that it can be challenging to read through, but here is something that I think might help you with that. Consider how difficult it was to live under these insane laws for the Jews! They didn’t have time to work, for they were too busy slaughtering animals and making paying the penalty for their sin (such as leaving camp for extended periods of time). Feel their pain and sorrow, for they lived through it! Be thankful that you only have to read about it . . . it won’t take forty years. 😊
First and foremost, . . . recognize every moment where God says something like, “Then they will know that I am the Lord their God!” This is a statement of Power. More than anything, God wants you to recognize how Powerful He is, for when you really grasp this concept, you will develop genuine Fear of the Lord. We MUST have Fear of the Lord! To qualify this, I mean that when a person has True Fear of the Lord, they will revere Him. And when a person obeys, they will not fear Him in an unholy, worldly way, but they will fear Him in knowing that if they don’t change their evil ways, they will be vaporized. Thus, when a person changes and realizes that they are no longer in danger, their Fear becomes Holy and Reverent.
So again, note all times when God shows Himself to be Powerful. One example is when He informs the Jews that times will become so rough for them that they will literally murder their children, cook them, eat them, and then hide the bodies for later consumption. And, of course, the Lord made these things happen! Multiple times does the Bible reference such stories of remarkable Power.
Power, Power, Power . . . throughout the OT. It is constant! God takes control of human minds, forcing the Philistines to kill one another beyond their own free will. The Lord uses Pharoah to demonstrate that unrelenting Power, both in how He occupies Pharoah’s mind to do and say certain things, and then there is the parting of the Red Sea. There is the provided Manna. There is the fact that the clothing of the Hebrews never wears out. There is the fact of how the Lord keeps the Hebrews in Egypt until He clears the land of overwhelming beasts. It is a story of constant Power and Control over all of His Creation.
You will be taken through all of the battles in proper sequence. You will be amazed at how the Chosen ones are taken captive and released (all as predicted). Eventually, you will find your way into the New Testament. You will find yourself meeting Paul for the first time in Acts 7. You will see his remarkable conversion unfold and then . . . then . . . you will literally see how the rules and guidelines were created and changed on-the-fly. You will see how the Apostles didn’t really understand the full implications of their Faith, for they even promoted and pushed the Law of Moses upon Christians, only later to recant those ideas (hence, the teachings of Freedom In Christ). Finally, you will find not only the development of our Faith, but you will notably find the development of the Apostle Paul himself.
2nd Timothy is Paul’s final letter . . . and you will be sad as you read it, for you know that there will be nothing more coming from Paul. Your relationship with him will have developed, and again, your heart will be broken knowing that his death is just around the corner . . . likely one to 1.5 years later. You will see how Paul changed from flaming the Galatians and Corinthians, for realizing that instead of flaming Timothy for the fact that he was leaving the “children” of Ephesus in harm’s way (to the two false, renegade teachers that had overtaken it), Paul realized that he needed to build Timothy’s confidence. Paul realized that instead of tearing people apart, he needed to build them up.
So again, I am jealous of you because once you read the Bible all the way through in this TLC order, you will never have that “first” read ever again. It is the most exciting Story ever written. And know this . . . when you are done, you will want to do it all over again. And more, you might even begin to hold Righteous Anger for the pastors that never ordered you to read this Holy Book in such a manner. You will have a fantastic advantage over those around you as you discuss our Faith. You will note the difference between your understanding and the understanding of those around you. In fact, your new knowledge and awareness of this Book may become your burden, for you will begin to separate yourself from them, realizing a massive distinction in understanding.
Stand firm. Do not doubt yourself. Believe in the Power of God!
Edit - I can't believe that I forgot to mention that the Bible revolves around Circumcision of the Heart . . . Colossians 2:9-15. This is why it is at the top of the "pyramid" below. It is the apex of our Faith, and you will notice this right from Day 1 of the TLC reading plan. Jesus is the Tree of Life, for it is He that grants Eternal Life. Thus, the act of reaching out and eating from the Tree is the equivalent of Colossians 2:9-15 . . . it [is] the Circumcision of Christ. So as you read, constantly be aware of Spiritual Circumcision, for this is how and why all men and women of the past could be considered Pure, Righteous, Wholehearted, and Holy. You will see this with Joshua and Caleb (as well as Moses).
Use the Triangle of Truth (as I have coined it) diagram below as your base . . . your foundation of Scripture. If you ponder these text sets as you read the entire Bible, your entire understanding of this Holy and remarkable Book will change completely.
When you get to the “Law,” I realize that it can be challenging to read through, but here is something that I think might help you with that. Consider how difficult it was to live under these insane laws for the Jews! They didn’t have time to work, for they were too busy slaughtering animals and making paying the penalty for their sin (such as leaving camp for extended periods of time). Feel their pain and sorrow, for they lived through it! Be thankful that you only have to read about it . . . it won’t take forty years. 😊
First and foremost, . . . recognize every moment where God says something like, “Then they will know that I am the Lord their God!” This is a statement of Power. More than anything, God wants you to recognize how Powerful He is, for when you really grasp this concept, you will develop genuine Fear of the Lord. We MUST have Fear of the Lord! To qualify this, I mean that when a person has True Fear of the Lord, they will revere Him. And when a person obeys, they will not fear Him in an unholy, worldly way, but they will fear Him in knowing that if they don’t change their evil ways, they will be vaporized. Thus, when a person changes and realizes that they are no longer in danger, their Fear becomes Holy and Reverent.
So again, note all times when God shows Himself to be Powerful. One example is when He informs the Jews that times will become so rough for them that they will literally murder their children, cook them, eat them, and then hide the bodies for later consumption. And, of course, the Lord made these things happen! Multiple times does the Bible reference such stories of remarkable Power.
Power, Power, Power . . . throughout the OT. It is constant! God takes control of human minds, forcing the Philistines to kill one another beyond their own free will. The Lord uses Pharoah to demonstrate that unrelenting Power, both in how He occupies Pharoah’s mind to do and say certain things, and then there is the parting of the Red Sea. There is the provided Manna. There is the fact that the clothing of the Hebrews never wears out. There is the fact of how the Lord keeps the Hebrews in Egypt until He clears the land of overwhelming beasts. It is a story of constant Power and Control over all of His Creation.
You will be taken through all of the battles in proper sequence. You will be amazed at how the Chosen ones are taken captive and released (all as predicted). Eventually, you will find your way into the New Testament. You will find yourself meeting Paul for the first time in Acts 7. You will see his remarkable conversion unfold and then . . . then . . . you will literally see how the rules and guidelines were created and changed on-the-fly. You will see how the Apostles didn’t really understand the full implications of their Faith, for they even promoted and pushed the Law of Moses upon Christians, only later to recant those ideas (hence, the teachings of Freedom In Christ). Finally, you will find not only the development of our Faith, but you will notably find the development of the Apostle Paul himself.
2nd Timothy is Paul’s final letter . . . and you will be sad as you read it, for you know that there will be nothing more coming from Paul. Your relationship with him will have developed, and again, your heart will be broken knowing that his death is just around the corner . . . likely one to 1.5 years later. You will see how Paul changed from flaming the Galatians and Corinthians, for realizing that instead of flaming Timothy for the fact that he was leaving the “children” of Ephesus in harm’s way (to the two false, renegade teachers that had overtaken it), Paul realized that he needed to build Timothy’s confidence. Paul realized that instead of tearing people apart, he needed to build them up.
So again, I am jealous of you because once you read the Bible all the way through in this TLC order, you will never have that “first” read ever again. It is the most exciting Story ever written. And know this . . . when you are done, you will want to do it all over again. And more, you might even begin to hold Righteous Anger for the pastors that never ordered you to read this Holy Book in such a manner. You will have a fantastic advantage over those around you as you discuss our Faith. You will note the difference between your understanding and the understanding of those around you. In fact, your new knowledge and awareness of this Book may become your burden, for you will begin to separate yourself from them, realizing a massive distinction in understanding.
Stand firm. Do not doubt yourself. Believe in the Power of God!
Edit - I can't believe that I forgot to mention that the Bible revolves around Circumcision of the Heart . . . Colossians 2:9-15. This is why it is at the top of the "pyramid" below. It is the apex of our Faith, and you will notice this right from Day 1 of the TLC reading plan. Jesus is the Tree of Life, for it is He that grants Eternal Life. Thus, the act of reaching out and eating from the Tree is the equivalent of Colossians 2:9-15 . . . it [is] the Circumcision of Christ. So as you read, constantly be aware of Spiritual Circumcision, for this is how and why all men and women of the past could be considered Pure, Righteous, Wholehearted, and Holy. You will see this with Joshua and Caleb (as well as Moses).
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Please do, Snacks! And know that you're always more than welcome to send an email to [email protected].
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Possibly faith and repentance come together, but regardless of that, water baptism is for those who have repented and believed the Gospel. Now here is a verse which was expunged from all the modern bible versions, but it is a key verse in genuine Scripture -- Acts 8:37 (KJB).
And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest [be baptized]. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
This one verse should be sufficient to show that baptism comes after believing (and repentance). And baptism is NOT an option (as the Ethiopian realized). Surely Philip must have taught him about Christian baptism, therefore he was eager to be baptized. And then he went on his way rejoicing. He had obeyed the Gospel and obeyed the commandment to be baptized.
And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest [be baptized]. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
This one verse should be sufficient to show that baptism comes after believing (and repentance). And baptism is NOT an option (as the Ethiopian realized). Surely Philip must have taught him about Christian baptism, therefore he was eager to be baptized. And then he went on his way rejoicing. He had obeyed the Gospel and obeyed the commandment to be baptized.
There are millions which agree with...wrong...all the time. So what is new?
He doesn't know if the thief was baptized or not. The Bible doesn't give us that detail.
The thief could have been a..... back slider...who had repented, been baptized and fell in his commitment. Also, Christ could have gave him special dispensation, etc.
We cannot say he was not baptized. There is no prove of that.
What is so unusual or difficult about those conditions?
He doesn't know if the thief was baptized or not. The Bible doesn't give us that detail.
The thief could have been a..... back slider...who had repented, been baptized and fell in his commitment. Also, Christ could have gave him special dispensation, etc.
We cannot say he was not baptized. There is no prove of that.
What is so unusual or difficult about those conditions?
Well, to answer your question of what is so absurd . . . I would say this: That according to your thinking that you are absolutely right is what you are belittling in Snacks. You say that Snacks doesn't know for sure of the status of the thief, therefore, Snacks is wrong. But do you know, for sure, that Snacks is wrong and that you are right?
Do you see what I mean? Snacks could absolutely be right. Or, do you know with utter assurance that you're right?
Do you see what I mean? Snacks could absolutely be right. Or, do you know with utter assurance that you're right?
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Forget about me...the Bible is correct. It doesn't support that the thief was not baptized. It is an unfair conclusion I hear often.
There is no PC in relation to God's word.
"Tickle my ears and tell me what I want to hear"...is not something I want or will extend about God and His word.(period)
I am belittling no one...just the facts when it comes to the Bible.
New american standard (They just left 37 out is that correct?)
34 The eunuch answered Philip and said, “Please tell me, of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself, or of someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. 36 As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch *said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?”[r] 38 And he ordered that the [s]chariot stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him.
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(37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God). KJV
34 The eunuch answered Philip and said, “Please tell me, of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself, or of someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. 36 As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch *said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?”[r] 38 And he ordered that the [s]chariot stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him.
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(37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God). KJV
A more logical reply is quite simple, the thief praised Jesus on the cross in his saying, this Man had done no wrong, and in so declaring publicly, Jesus knew that he would have been baptized under other circumstances.
Please quote for me if Jesus Yeshua ever said we must be baptized in order to enter the Kingdom. I take His declaration to Nico Demas as a reference to be born again by the Holy Spirit and His gift to all who will accept it, from the cross. It was water and blood that issued from His side when the centurion speared Him. Praise our Savior and god Jesus, amen
Many will be surprised when they see who made it into the Kingdom.
Please quote for me if Jesus Yeshua ever said we must be baptized in order to enter the Kingdom. I take His declaration to Nico Demas as a reference to be born again by the Holy Spirit and His gift to all who will accept it, from the cross. It was water and blood that issued from His side when the centurion speared Him. Praise our Savior and god Jesus, amen
Many will be surprised when they see who made it into the Kingdom.
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