The Teachings of Jesus (TOJ)

[GWH]

That’s exactly the reason I like you too sailor, because you do passive trolling.
But I’m also impressed on how a southern Baptist has arrived to such teachings which are similar to mine.

And many people come to faith by observing God’s power and signature in His Creation by the way so it’s a common thing.
I work with doctors sometimes and they have found faith by looking at God’s wonders under a microscope which led them to be baptized later.

Hallelujah !

If you think I troll, then we have different definitions of that term, because my intent is to engage in serious discussion rather than to get a rise out of someone, argue or pick a fight.

I arrived at my understanding of GW by:

1. Attending Sunday school followed by church services with my parents,
2. Augmented by reading the New English Bible they gave me about the time I went to college,
3. Augmented by reading the Today's English Version while taking systematic theology seminary classes and hearing sermons by Thieme,
4. Augmented by reading the New International Version for the purpose of training Sunday School teachers as a Minister of Education,
5. Augmented by more seminary classes for becoming a pastor and chaplain,
6. Augmented by debating atheists in Austin and via an online chat site,
7. Augmented by lessons developed for sharing with soldiers while mobilized in Bosnia, Del Rio Texas and Iraq,
8. Augmented by self-publishing two booklets before opting to publish via my website, <truthseekersfellowship.com>,
9. Augmented by reading the Apologetics Study Bible I was given in 2010,
10. Augmented by discussions on CC and adding to my website.

 

[Eli1]

If you think I troll, then we have different definitions of that term, because my intent is to engage in serious discussion rather than to get a rise out of someone, argue or pick a fight.

I arrived at my understanding of GW by:

1. Attending Sunday school followed by church services with my parents,
2. Augmented by reading the New English Bible they gave me about the time I went to college,
3. Augmented by reading the Today's English Version while taking systematic theology seminary classes and hearing sermons by Thieme,
4. Augmented by reading the New International Version for the purpose of training Sunday School teachers as a Minister of Education,
5. Augmented by more seminary classes for becoming a pastor and chaplain,
6. Augmented by debating atheists in Austin and via an online chat site,
7. Augmented by lessons developed for sharing with soldiers while mobilized in Bosnia, Del Rio Texas and Iraq,
8. Augmented by self-publishing two booklets before opting to publish via my website, <truthseekersfellowship.com>,
9. Augmented by reading the Apologetics Study Bible I was given in 2010,
10. Augmented by discussions on CC and adding to my website.

I like your list sailor and it’s okay if you don’t understand that your sarcastic sense of humor is seen as “trolling” but the important thing is that we’ve all come to learn about God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Trinity in different ways and all these ways should not be seen are right or wrong despite when people disagree with you or me that God is not found in nature.

 

[GWH]

I like your list sailor and it’s okay if you don’t understand that your sarcastic sense of humor is seen as “trolling” but the important thing is that we’ve all come to learn about God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Trinity in different ways and all these ways should not be seen are right or wrong despite when people disagree with you or me that God is not found in nature.

Well, that's what I get for trying to inject a little humor into a serious discussion.

I guess the list shows that I am a slow learner (but at least I have the gift of perseverance :^)

 

[GWH]

TOJ #176: Believers play various roles in doing GW. [JN 4:35-38] One may plant the seed of truth in a soul, another may encourage it to grow, and yet another may be present when that soul decides to accept Jesus (1CR 3:5-10).

TOJ #177: John and Moses (the OT prophets) testified about Jesus. [JN 5:31-40,45-47, 8:56] The correct interpretation of the OT points to Jesus as Messiah/Christ. Paul also referred to this in ACTS 26:22-23 (cf. TOJ #20 & #159).

 

[GWH]

TOJ #178: God the Father is revealed most fully by God the Son, who embodied God’s Holy Spirit. [JN 5:36-38, 6:27b&45, 8:19, 10:30, 16:14-15] Thus, Jesus fulfilled the prophecy in Isaiah 54:13. This nuance of TOJ #1 is so central in John’s gospel that I will state again the key concept: Insofar as it is possible for God to reveal Himself as a human, that person is Jesus. {JN 12:44-45, 14:9-11, 17:6} They are One {JN 17:11}. (See TOJ #70 & #186.)

Jesus said He would be with Believers as the Holy Spirit, who would continue to counsel or teach the truth. {JN 14:16-17, 15:26, 16:12-15}
The apostle Paul also taught that the Holy Spirit baptizes (1CR 12:13) and indwells Believers as God’s seal or deposit (EPH 1:13, 2CR 1:22), who is manifested whenever they speak the truth and love (RM 5:5, EPH 4:15).

This TOJ reveals that the one true God (Being/I AM) is known or relates to human beings in three ways or as a Triunity. (See TOJ #197).

 

[GWH]

TOJ #179: The work/will of God is to believe in His Messiah. [JN 6:29] This verse is very important, because it clarifies that saving Faith (TOJ #49) is prior to working faith (TOJ #51), and we should never reverse them.

TOJ #180: God enables souls to be volitional and loving. [JN 6:44] Souls are not able/free to love by themselves apart from the initiating power/love of God (EPH 3:16-20), which Believers reflect (1JN 4:19). Even the ability to work and produce physical goods is given by God (DT 8:17-18). God initiates/draws; souls choose to cooperate--or not.

 

[GWH]

TOJ #181: Do not stumble because of Christ’s crucifixion. [JN 6:53-58&67] (See TOJ #92.) Just as many Israelites complained at having to eat manna (NM 11:4-6), sophisticates criticize God’s plan of salvation as barbaric (1CR 1:18-25), as though they were not equally in need of its efficacy.

TOJ #182: Words expressing God’s truth are God’s Spirit/Being. [JN 6:63, 14:10] (GW=life/being is another synonymous pairing.) The spiritual realm is an invisible dimension that is partially revealed by right logic (see TOJ #203).

TOJ #183: God ordained when Jesus would die. [JN 7:6&8, 12:27] Jesus recognized that the right time had come when He prayed in the Upper Room. {JN 17:1} Paul said (in RM 5:6) that Christ died for sinners “at just the right time.”