Recent content by Branch

When Jesus tells Nicodemus, "Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God," he is describing the spiritual transformation necessary for salvation. The phrase does not simply mean "born of the Holy Spirit," but combines two images—water and Spirit—that together...

Dear Pilgrimshope, thank you for your powerful scripture. Upon reading it, I became transfixed by a sense of pity for Jesus Christ's sufferings on the cross. God bless you, brother.

Dear Wansvic, is Jesus not everything? In Jesus’ death on the cross, we see that love does not deny reality or offer cheap grace. Love acknowledges sin’s painful consequences and offers costly forgiveness. Love is willing to lay down its life for its friends. Love, at its core, is actionable and...

The Suffering Servant …4Surely He took on our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken by God, struck down and afflicted. 5But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His...

A Roman soldier thrust a spear through Jesus’ side, piercing both the lungs and the heart" Blood and water came" from His side, just as John recorded in his Gospel (John 19:34). Dear Wansvic, you who seek wisdom and understanding, can you discern that the lord Jesus Christ is all things?

"The word that I have spoken" means that Jesus’ teachings are the ultimate standard by which all people will be judged. How we respond to His words—whether we believe and obey or reject them—determines our standing before God on the day of judgment.

Connection to Baptism and Belief Belief as the Core Issue: You discuss whether baptism is absolutely necessary for salvation. The point being made is that the Bible emphasises unbelief (not believing in Christ) as the primary reason for rejection, not merely the lack of baptism. Baptism and the...

1. Holy Spirit: Indwelling vs. Empowering Indwelling: The Holy Spirit lives within every believer (see John 14:17, Romans 8:11). This is a constant presence. Coming Upon: The Holy Spirit can also "come upon" a person for a specific purpose, often associated with empowerment for ministry...

Dear Wansvic, The Bible never states that a lack of baptism automatically results in repudiation ; rather, it is unbelief that is consistently described as the basis for rejection. I don't understand why anyone would want to argue about being baptised. Jesus Christ is our example, and he became...

Dear Wansvic, the Holy Spirit was active and sometimes indwelt or empowered individuals in the Old Testament. The permanent, universal indwelling of the Spirit in all believers began with the New Testament, following the death and resurrection of Jesus and the Day of Pentecost. God bless you...

Dear Cameron, Peter explained to the crowd that this was the fulfilment of prophecy (from Joel), and he urged them: "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. God bless you, brother.

Dear Cameron, Jesus' disciples were already true believers—"saved"—before the Day of Pentecost. Jesus, in His final teachings before His crucifixion, referred to the disciples (excluding Judas) as already "clean" (John 13:10) and described them as branches already in the vine (John 15:3-5)...

Dear Cameron, The disciples were saved before Pentecost; Pentecost was the moment of outward empowerment by the Holy Spirit, not the beginning of their salvation. God bless you, brother.

Cameron, the bible is pretty straightforward, so even a small child can understand it. I will get back to you later about your question. God bless you, Brother.

You sound a lot like a mother member whose name is Subhumanoidal. Wow! I'm amazed by the similarities in your speech patterns.