The prodigal son?

Creeds can be helpful but never become a law that men can build their new faith on

Historical background based on which sect (the Greek word heresy) ?

The Cathilics who destroyred the meaning of heresy as they did with the word apostle by adding their own version ?

Remember during the reformation they called who ever did not beleive their creeds of the fathers, heretics and accused them of having private interpretation which in the end of the matter was in respect to their own private interpretation. Every man has a personal commentary (private interpretation) as to what they think the scriptures are teaching . Or like with Paul in Acts 24 they tried to prove all things written in the law and the prophecy was heresy (opinions of men ) in exchange for their law of the fathers (laws of men)

Acts 24:14But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:

Again heresy is the same word as sect or denomination... pertaining to a group of people who beleive a certain creed.

1 Corinthians 11 inform us their must be opinions of men as heresies seeing the kingdom of God is not of this world and therefore we seek the approval of God not seen

1 Corinthians 11:19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

Opinions are not damnable unless they clearly deny the grace of God that bought them as those who do, do despite to His grace.

2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

I would title the parable "The Waiting Father" as with a open door policy .

When the son to had come to his senses. He referred to the kind of servants that did not live on the grounds but came and left as independant from his parents but still honoring their word.

And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! Luke 15:17

The other son never entered the door of fellowship.

I don't understand your point.

Yes there is.

The Son became lost because he wandered away from the father, becoming unreconciled.


A close honest examination of these scriptures teaches us the truth.


Do the lost need salvation?



JPT

Do the lost need salvation?



Can you please define “lost” according to Luke 15:4-32



JPT

While this is not a direct summary, you may enjoy Henri Nouwen's little book The Return of The Prodigal Son. Nouwen uses a Rembrandt painting of the same name to go deeper into the story. Interestingly, he focuses much attention on the "Older Son" and what decision he made to his fathers urgings.

I see it as the loving Father and His forgiving of sins if we go enjoy the world for a little bit that we can always repent and come back to the Father and be restored again.

As simple as that.

Luk 15:32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

Jas 5:19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
Jas 5:20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

1Jn 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1Jn 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

1Jn 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
1Jn 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

hmm

how far away is "a long way off" ?

The son left the father's home and traveled in a far country (Luke 15:13).

He spent all his money, joined a citizen of that country, and fed swine in the fields owned by the citizen (Luke 15:14-15).

He was starving (vs 17) and decided to go home to his father in abject humility (Luke 15:16-19). And note in vs 18, he thought to himself I will arise and go to my father, which suggests he was not lost (as you claim) and he knew his way back to his father.

He arose and came to his father (Luke 15:20).

It does not appear the son was lost and perhaps this is why there is no statement that anyone went searching for him. However, we do know the father was waiting for his son to return and the father was watchful because vs 20 says the father saw the son when he was yet a great way off and the father ran to him.

justpassinthrough said:

A close honest examination of these scriptures teaches us the truth.

Click to expand...

Yes and let our examination of these scriptures be "honest" and not filled with preconceived doctrine not intended by God.

Did i MISS something? What does your question bout lost n salvation have to do with potterz statement?

It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’ ” Luke 15:32


Those who wander from God become lost.


Lost = Sinner in need of repentance. Spiritually dead. Unjust.


Found = Reconciled to God. Spiritually alive. Justified.


Those who are lost must repent of face eternal death.


The lost need repentance.

The lost need to be reconciled to God.

The lost need justification.

The lost need salvation.



Very simple.



JPT

Sinners do not have eternal life in them.


Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. James 5:19-20





JPT

Since I never said any such nonsense then you are making up a scenario that I never said, and applying what I didn’t say to this discussion.


I stated what the scripture says.


Sheep who wander away from Christ and become lost, are sinners in need of repentance.


The 100 sheep belong to the shepherd, as they are His sheep: Born again - Children of God.

• What man of you, having a hundred sheep

4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ 7 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
Luke 15:4-7


However, we see from this teaching of Jesus, that His sheep can indeed become lost.

• ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’

• likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

The 99 are said to be "just"; Declared by God as right with Him - Righteous


The one who becomes lost, is described by Jesus as a sinner [unjust; not reconciled to God - unrighteous] in need of repentance.


These are the words of Jesus.


Now comes the question to you -


Based on the actual words Jesus uses, is a sheep [born again Christian] who wanders away and becomes lost, a sinner or saint, saved or unsaved, just or unjust?


JPT

But those who believed on Christ were certainly saved by grace and deemed to be righteous (saints). And this parable is certainly not limited to Israel, but has a universal application.

Do you have scripture to prove this?



JPT