Who are the inspired scriptures directed to?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Lillywolf

Well-known member
Aug 29, 2018
1,562
543
113
#41
They are not written to the unsaved natural man who cannot discern spiritual things, but to those children of God who have been regenerated and are able to discern spiritual things. The scriptures are instructions from God telling his children how they should live their lives here on earth and also informing them how they have been saved from their sins by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. They are not scriptures telling the natural man, who cannot discern spiritual things, how to get saved eternally. We are all born into this world as "dead in sins" until God regenerates us, when we are yet dead in sins and unable to respond to spiritual things.(Eph 2:5).
If the first part of your observation is fact, why then are the teachings of Jesus as to how to enter into salvation in the new testament?
 

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
8,396
1,204
113
#42
They're directed to everyone; unsaved & saved alike. The unsaved can understand "Jesus Christ, and him crucified"; the saved can understand "the wisdom of God in a mystery" and "the deep things of God". Not everything in Scripture requires "the mind of Christ" to understand. The external reproving by the Holy Spirit with read/preached Scripture allows the unsaved to understand his need for the Savior.
I am sorry, but your statements do not quot what 1 Cor 2:14 says. It does not say "The unsaved can understand Jesus Christ and him crucified" it also does not say "The external reproving by the Holy Spirit with read/preached scripture allows them to understand his need for the Savior" You are adding to 1 Cor 2:14 words that it does not imply. The natural man cannot discern spiritual things no matter if The Holy Spirit, a preacher, or his reading of it. It is all foolishness unto him. That is what 1Cor 2:14 says.
 

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
8,396
1,204
113
#43
If the first part of your observation is fact, why then are the teachings of Jesus as to how to enter into salvation in the new testament?
The scriptures tell us to study to show ourselves approved, rightly dividing the word of truth. The main thing that most students of the bible fail to understand, and the scriptures will not harmonize until they do, and that is to rightly divide the salvation scriptures. The definition of Salvation in the Greek translation means "a deliverance". We are delivered (saved) from this world into eternity, and we are delivered (saved) many times as we live our lives here on earth, for example; When we pray to God to heal a sickness we have, and he does heal the illness, we have been delivered (saved) from that illness. When we yield ourselves to the temptation of sin we separate ourselves from our fellowship with God (which is sometimes called being dead to his fellowship) and when we repent of that sin and God forgives us, we have experienced a salvation (deliverance). There are more salvation scriptures pertaining to a deliverance as we live here on earth than there are that have reference to eternal salvation. I used to have a hard time making the scripture harmonize with, supposedly contradicting scriptures with the salvation scriptures, such as "we are saved by grace and that not of ourselves" and "save yourselves from this untoward generation" until I gave up on my own ability to straiten them out. I spent twelve years of hard studying and when I denied my ability the Spirit within me began to reveal the difference in the salvation scriptures and I have no more contradicting scriptures. Had The Spirit revealed these truths earlier I would have taken credit for my ability instead of giving God credit. I feel that there are some on this forum who are depending upon their own intelligence is why they cannot harmonize the scriptures.
 

JohnRH

Junior Member
Mar 5, 2018
552
274
63
#44
I am sorry, but your statements do not quot what 1 Cor 2:14 says. It does not say "The unsaved can understand Jesus Christ and him crucified" it also does not say "The external reproving by the Holy Spirit with read/preached scripture allows them to understand his need for the Savior" You are adding to 1 Cor 2:14 words that it does not imply. The natural man cannot discern spiritual things no matter if The Holy Spirit, a preacher, or his reading of it. It is all foolishness unto him. That is what 1Cor 2:14 says.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

The saving gospel to the lost is not "the things of the Spirit of God" in this verse.
 

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
8,396
1,204
113
#45
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

The saving gospel to the lost is not "the things of the Spirit of God" in this verse.
Are you trying to say that the gospels are not a spiritual thing? If that is what you believe, then tell me what is spiritual?
 

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
8,396
1,204
113
#46
Hi ForestGreenCook, if that's true, then why did He give us commands like this one if He didn't want us involved?

.........Mark 16
.........15 ..Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation.

And why did He send out the 12, and St. Paul on his 3 missionary journeys, etc?

Thanks!

~Deut

.........Romans 10
.........17 ..Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
.........
Hi, Duet, God does want us to teach and preach "the good news" to his children telling them how that Christ died for their sins and that because of that, they have been saved eternally. God also wants us to teach his children how they should live their lives here on earth. Faith does come by hearing the gospel and only his regenerated children can hear the gospel. It is foolishness unto the unsaved natural man as described in 1 Cor 2:14.
 

JohnRH

Junior Member
Mar 5, 2018
552
274
63
#48
Faith does come by hearing the gospel and only his regenerated children can hear the gospel.
That's ridiculous. His regenerated children already have faith - they don't need it to "come".

Acts 11:13 And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; 14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
Do you understand "shall be"? It's future. These people weren't saved yet. The gospel is directed to the unsaved.

Acts 16:29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Do you understand "shalt be"? It's future. The jailer wasn't saved yet. The gospel is directed to the unsaved.

Acts 13:45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
Were these blaspheming Jews saved? No. Was the word of God directed to them? Yes. The gospel is directed to the unsaved.

John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
Do you understand "ye might believe"? It means "ye" doesn't necessarily believe right now. And yet the Scripture is written for "ye"'s sake. The gospel is directed to the unsaved.

Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Is every creature saved? Not hardly. The gospel is directed to the unsaved.

Mark 13:10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
Is everyone in all nations saved? The gospel is directed to the unsaved.

Psalm 96:3 Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.
Are all the heathen saved? No. Are all people saved? No. The gospel is directed to the unsaved.

Isaiah 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
Are all the people in all the ends of the earth saved? No. The gospel is directed to the unsaved.

Isaiah 49:6 ...
I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
Are all the Gentiles saved? No. Are all the people unto the end of the earth saved? No. The gospel is directed to the unsaved.

Luke 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Are all people saved? No. The good tidings of great joy is directed to the unsaved.

Luke 2:30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
Are all people saved? Are all Gentiles saved? Are all the people of Israel saved? No, no, and no. The gospel is directed to the unsaved.

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Are all the people in Jerusalem, Judaea, Samaria, and the uttermost part of the earth saved? No, no, no, and no. The gospel is directed to the unsaved.

Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Do you think the people who preach the gospel to unbelievers have ugly feet? The gospel is directed to the unsaved.

Colossians 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
Is every creature under heaven saved? No. The gospel is directed to the unsaved.

Revelation 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
Are all of "them that dwell on the earth" saved during the Tribulation? Not hardly. The gospel is directed to the unsaved.
 

Deade

Called of God
Dec 17, 2017
16,724
10,530
113
78
Vinita, Oklahoma, USA
yeshuaofisrael.org
#49
Are you trying to say that the gospels are not a spiritual thing? If that is what you believe, then tell me what is spiritual?
Not everything in God's word have deep spiritual meanings. There is a lot of moral instructions and ideals on how men can live peaceably with each other.

I had PTSD as a child and I was a little devil. I grew up in a very rough neighborhood and I was smart enough to realize if I did not change my ways, someone was going to shortly kill me. From 12 to 14 years of age I went to a Baptist Church and earnestly looked for God. I saw hypocrisy all around me. I tried to find a mentor to follow, but nobody seems to conform to God's word.

By year 14 I just gave up. I concluded that either 1. God does not exist, or 2. God exists but He does not want me as a follower. In reality, it was my naivete in not realizing no one can perfectly serve God. That man's flesh is always at war with our spiritual growth.

What I had not counted on was that the word of God is of itself anointed. Even though I was unsaved, the word had changed me considerably. I was no longer the little heathen I was at 11. The word accomplished in me what I was looking for at the time. The gospels, the Psalms and Proverbs gave me new insight on how to think and behave.

So did God allow that changing nature of His word because He would later call me, or is the word anointed and profitable for anyone. I like to think the second scenario is more likely. With that in mind almost anyone that wants it, can have something good from God. My thoughts, anyway. :cool:
 

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
8,396
1,204
113
#50
Nope. I'm saying what I said.
If you can not explain 1 Cor 2:14, just admit it instead of giving an answer like that which does not explain anything. Are we not here to reason the scriptures?
 

Deade

Called of God
Dec 17, 2017
16,724
10,530
113
78
Vinita, Oklahoma, USA
yeshuaofisrael.org
#51
If you can not explain 1 Cor 2:14, just admit it instead of giving an answer like that which does not explain anything. Are we not here to reason the scriptures?
Okay, I'll bite. Since you have all the hidden meanings of scripture down pat: tell me about the coming Kingdom of God, and the plan God has for most of the walking dead (the broadway)? ;)
 

JohnRH

Junior Member
Mar 5, 2018
552
274
63
#52
If you can not explain 1 Cor 2:14, just admit it instead of giving an answer like that which does not explain anything. Are we not here to reason the scriptures?
I already did. I save my further explanations for those with ears to hear.
 

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
8,396
1,204
113
#53
Not everything in God's word have deep spiritual meanings. There is a lot of moral instructions and ideals on how men can live peaceably with each other.

I had PTSD as a child and I was a little devil. I grew up in a very rough neighborhood and I was smart enough to realize if I did not change my ways, someone was going to shortly kill me. From 12 to 14 years of age I went to a Baptist Church and earnestly looked for God. I saw hypocrisy all around me. I tried to find a mentor to follow, but nobody seems to conform to God's word.

By year 14 I just gave up. I concluded that either 1. God does not exist, or 2. God exists but He does not want me as a follower. In reality, it was my naivete in not realizing no one can perfectly serve God. That man's flesh is always at war with our spiritual growth.

What I had not counted on was that the word of God is of itself anointed. Even though I was unsaved, the word had changed me considerably. I was no longer the little heathen I was at 11. The word accomplished in me what I was looking for at the time. The gospels, the Psalms and Proverbs gave me new insight on how to think and behave.

So did God allow that changing nature of His word because He would later call me, or is the word anointed and profitable for anyone. I like to think the second scenario is more likely. With that in mind almost anyone that wants it, can have something good from God. My thoughts, anyway. :cool:
Your post sounds like a truly honest disclosure of your life. I cannot remember the moment that God regenerated (gave spiritual life) to me, and I have been criticized, by people on this forum, for not knowing and even accused of not being born again. Jesus explained to Nicodemus in John 3:8, The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth, so is everyone that is born of the Spirit. I believe that you were already born of the Spirit at the age of 12 evidenced by your going to church and earnestly looking for God, and you were saved over 2000 years ago by Christ's sacrifice on the cross and that your bound for eternal heaven because those that he died for he will not lose not one of them (John 6:38). The word was written to those who are already born of the Spirit, as are you, instructing them how to live their lives here on earth, and not written to the natural man described in 1 Cor 2:14 who cannot discern spiritual things. You are confused on your second scenario. Your second scenario is the belief of most on this forum, so, ask me questions, or check my belief out earnestly as you did when you were looking for God.
 

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
8,396
1,204
113
#54
Okay, I'll bite. Since you have all the hidden meanings of scripture down pat: tell me about the coming Kingdom of God, and the plan God has for most of the walking dead (the broadway)? ;)
I don't know what you mean by "the walking dead (the broadway) " But if you are referring to the two gates and ways in Matt 7:13-14, The people that are going into Both gates are all born again children of God. The ones going in the wide gate and broad way are those who are preaching and teaching that they have something to do in order to obtain eternal salvation which leads to the destruction of the scriptures, and limits Jesus's power to save them. Those that are going in the straight gate and the narrow way are few that have earnestly searched for the truth of God's word and the Holy Spirit has revealed it to them leading them to a good and peaceful life as they live here on earth, not eternal life as most affirm. Our eternal life was given by Christ's sacrifice on the cross. The Kingdom of God is the church that Christ set up and is now on earth with Christ as the husband of it.
 

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
8,396
1,204
113
#55
I already did. I save my further explanations for those with ears to hear.
You are a very poor interpreter of the scriptures if you think you have explained 1 Cor 2:14. Scriptures explain themselves, why not give me some scriptures telling me that the natural man can discern spiritual things.
 

Deade

Called of God
Dec 17, 2017
16,724
10,530
113
78
Vinita, Oklahoma, USA
yeshuaofisrael.org
#56
The ones going in the wide gate and broad way are those who are preaching and teaching that they have something to do in order to obtain eternal salvation which leads to the destruction of the scriptures, and limits Jesus's power to save them.
These wide gate people, in your view, are they saved or not saved? What do you mean by the destruction of the scriptures?

in-deep-thought-smiley-emoticon.gif
 

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
8,396
1,204
113
#57
That's ridiculous. His regenerated children already have faith - they don't need it to "come".

Acts 11:13 And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; 14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
Do you understand "shall be"? It's future. These people weren't saved yet. The gospel is directed to the unsaved.

Acts 16:29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Do you understand "shalt be"? It's future. The jailer wasn't saved yet. The gospel is directed to the unsaved.

Acts 13:45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
Were these blaspheming Jews saved? No. Was the word of God directed to them? Yes. The gospel is directed to the unsaved.

John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
Do you understand "ye might believe"? It means "ye" doesn't necessarily believe right now. And yet the Scripture is written for "ye"'s sake. The gospel is directed to the unsaved.

Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Is every creature saved? Not hardly. The gospel is directed to the unsaved.

Mark 13:10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
Is everyone in all nations saved? The gospel is directed to the unsaved.

Psalm 96:3 Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.
Are all the heathen saved? No. Are all people saved? No. The gospel is directed to the unsaved.

Isaiah 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
Are all the people in all the ends of the earth saved? No. The gospel is directed to the unsaved.

Isaiah 49:6 ...
I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
Are all the Gentiles saved? No. Are all the people unto the end of the earth saved? No. The gospel is directed to the unsaved.

Luke 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Are all people saved? No. The good tidings of great joy is directed to the unsaved.

Luke 2:30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
Are all people saved? Are all Gentiles saved? Are all the people of Israel saved? No, no, and no. The gospel is directed to the unsaved.

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Are all the people in Jerusalem, Judaea, Samaria, and the uttermost part of the earth saved? No, no, no, and no. The gospel is directed to the unsaved.

Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Do you think the people who preach the gospel to unbelievers have ugly feet? The gospel is directed to the unsaved.

Colossians 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
Is every creature under heaven saved? No. The gospel is directed to the unsaved.

Revelation 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
Are all of "them that dwell on the earth" saved during the Tribulation? Not hardly. The gospel is directed to the unsaved.
We are instructed to show ourselves approved, rightly dividing the word of truth. If you can not rightly divide the salvation scriptures, you will never understand Jesus's doctrine. The Greek definition of the word, saved, save, salvation is "a deliverance." We are delivered from this world in our eternal salvation. We are delivered many times in this world by our good works and answered prayers. There are far more salvation scriptures pertaining to timely deliverance than eternal deliverance. as those you have submitted. The only way that the natural man, void of the Spirit, can be saved is explained in Eph 2, especially in verse 5, While they are still "dead in sins" unable to discern spiritual things and believing they have no reason to repent. The natural man cannot hear his call, only his sheep can.
 

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
8,396
1,204
113
#58
These wide gate people, in your view, are they saved or not saved? What do you mean by the destruction of the scriptures?

View attachment 187944
They are saved. They interpret the scriptures wrongly allowing man to take credit for their eternal deliverance instead of giving credit to God. I could not pull up your attachment, sorry.
 

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
8,396
1,204
113
#59
We are instructed to show ourselves approved, rightly dividing the word of truth. If you can not rightly divide the salvation scriptures, you will never understand Jesus's doctrine. The Greek definition of the word, saved, save, salvation is "a deliverance." We are delivered from this world in our eternal salvation. We are delivered many times in this world by our good works and answered prayers. There are far more salvation scriptures pertaining to timely deliverance than eternal deliverance. as those you have submitted. The only way that the natural man, void of the Spirit, can be saved is explained in Eph 2, especially in verse 5, While they are still "dead in sins" unable to discern spiritual things and believing they have no reason to repent. The natural man cannot hear his call, only his sheep can.
I will explain all of your scriptures if you want.
 

Deuteronomy

Well-known member
Jun 11, 2018
3,263
3,602
113
67
#60
Hi, Duet, God does want us to teach and preach "the good news" to his children telling them how that Christ died for their sins and that because of that, they have been saved eternally. God also wants us to teach his children how they should live their lives here on earth. Faith does come by hearing the gospel and only his regenerated children can hear the gospel. It is foolishness unto the unsaved natural man as described in 1 Cor 2:14.
Hi again ForestGreenCook, before I reply, I need to ask you a question about what you just said above. Perhaps I am misunderstanding you, but are you saying that God wants us to witness/preach the Gospel to the elect/His children alone?

Thanks!

~Deut