The Teachings of Jesus (TOJ)

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GWH

Groovy
#181
Oct 19, 2024
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#181
Eli1 said:
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 !
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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

Eli1

Well-known member
#182
Apr 5, 2022
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#182
GWH said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
G

GWH

Groovy
#183
Oct 19, 2024
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#183
Eli1 said:
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.
Click to expand...
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 :^)
 
G

GWH

Groovy
#184
Oct 19, 2024
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#184
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).
 
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GWH

Groovy
#185
Oct 19, 2024
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#185
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).
 
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GWH

Groovy
#186
Oct 19, 2024
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#186
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.
 
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GWH

Groovy
#187
Oct 19, 2024
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#187
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.”
 
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GWH

Groovy
#188
Oct 19, 2024
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#188
TOJ #184: Whoever serves Satan will reject/hate/kill Jesus. [JN 7:19, 8:37, 39-41, 44] They are not His sheep {JN 10:25-26}, but in fact they are wolves/demonic/antichrist. (See TOJ #59, #63 & #202.)

TOJ #185: All souls sin (except One). [JN 8:7] This truth is found in Psalm 53:1-3 and Romans 3:23. The lone exception is Jesus, who always pleased God. {JN 8:29} Hebrews 4:15 states that He was “tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.” (See TOJ #24.)
 
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GWH

Groovy
#189
Oct 19, 2024
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#189
TOJ #186: Jesus is the light or God/GW incarnate. [JN 8:12, 9:5, 14:6] John’s gospel stated this in the opening section (JN 1:1&4-9). Several OT verses spoke of light as representing God (PS 27:1, IS 60:19 MIC 7:8) or GW (PS 119:105). Jesus spoke GW {JN 8:26, 12:49-50, 15:15} or truth {JN 18:37b}, and so He illuminates the right way to live {JN 12:35-36, 46}. (See TOJ #19, #38, #178 & #203.)

TOJ #187: Jesus’ testimony is validated by God the Father. [JN 8:14-18] Jesus showed concern to satisfy the Jewish law that required two witnesses (NM 35:30, DT 17:6, 19:15). Jesus cited the miracles He performed as one form of validation {JN 10:25,32&36-38, 11:14}; OT prophecies {JN 13:18-19} and His own prophecies {JN 14:29, 16:1&4} were another form. (See TOJ #177.) He referred to God’s approval as glorification {JN 8:54, 11:4&40-42, 12:23, 13:31-32, 14:11, 17:1}.

TOJ #188: Jesus’ disciples obey His teachings. [JN 8:31, 14:15, 21, 23, 15:9-10, 14-15] The Greek word for disciple (mathetes) means “learner”.

TOJ #189: The truth will set you free from slavery to sin. [JN 8:32-36&51] The resurrection miracles, especially of Jesus, are the critical evidence. (See TOJ #77 & #94.)
 
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GWH

Groovy
#190
Oct 19, 2024
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#190
TOJ #190: The consequence of Sin or sins is not reaped (necessarily or justly) in this life. [JN 9:1-3] Thus, we should not view sickness as symptomatic of an individual’s sinfulness or lack of faith. (See TOJ #51.)

TOJ #191: Jesus is the shepherd/pastor of God’s people. [JN 10:1-5&10-15] The OT spoke of God as the shepherd (GN 48:15, PS 23:1, IS 40:11, and the NT called church leaders pastors (ACTS 20:28, EPH 4:11), so Jesus is the great or chief Shepherd (HB 13:20, 1PT 5:4).

TOJ #192: No one can cause a believer to become unsaved. [JN 10:28] However, a Believer should not become complacent, because numerous scriptures such as MT 10:22 refer to the possibility of Believers choosing to become apostate.
 
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GWH

Groovy
#191
Oct 19, 2024
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#191
TOJ #193: Knowledge of GW enlightens our way in this world. [JN 11:9-10] This point was made by the Psalmist (PS 119:105; cf. TOJ #186). Jesus said not to take enlightenment for granted, because a soul may not have another opportunity to satisfy GRFS before death {JN 12:35-36}.

TOJ #194: The purpose of Jesus’ first coming was redemption. [JN 12:47] Even so, those who reject GRFS condemn themselves (TOJ #195). What God intends for good (GN 50:20), He allows sinful souls to pervert with evil consequences {JN 9:39, 12:31}.

TOJ #195: Judgment and condemnation will occur at the second coming of Jesus. [JN 12:48] As the writer of Hebrews 9:27-28 stated, “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people [TOJ #194]; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”

Simultaneously, this will mean condemnation for those who are implicated in the crucifixion of Jesus (TOJ #54). This doctrine, even though it is essentially the same point as TOJ #83 & #160, is the “bottom line” of the NT, so it warrants reemphasis. If this is false, then life is a farce, and God is tricky.
 
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GWH

Groovy
#192
Oct 19, 2024
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#192
TOJ #196: Pray in the name of Jesus. [JN 14:13-14, 16:23-24] The name of the Lord revealed in the NT is Jesus (Joshua, the Lord saves), the “name that is above every name” (PHP 2:9-11). Thus, we pray to the Father (Yahweh or Jehovah) in the name of the Son (EPH 5:20, CL 3:17), not because the word “Jesus” is magical, but to acknowledge that the reason we have the privilege of addressing God as Father is because of our saving relationship with Christ the Son.

TOJ #197: The Holy Spirit will indwell and guide truth-seekers until Christ returns. [JN 14:16-18,23&26, 15:26, 16:13-15] The Holy Spirit has always been God’s connection with Believers (NM 11:25, DT 35:31-35, PS 51:11) and always will be in heaven. However, Jesus and the NT taught this truth more fully.

TOJ #198: Joy/peace is the God-given motivation for saving faith. [JN 14:27, 15:11, 16:20-24, 33 17:13] Joy and peace speak of ultimate satisfaction rather than momentary emotion—the deep sense of fulfillment that will accompany the realization that life on earth was meaningful rather than a farce. Desiring happiness God’s way is self-love but not selfishness.
 
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GWH

Groovy
#193
Oct 19, 2024
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#193
TOJ #199: Love is sacrificial. [JN 15:13] It is unconditional concern for the eternal welfare of others to the point of willingness to risk death on behalf of others if necessary (RM 5:8).

TOJ #200: Jesus views His disciples as friends. [JN 15:14] Another word for friendship is fellowship (1JN 1:3). Conversely, fellowship with ungodly souls is hatred toward God (JM 4:4, 2CR 6:14).

TOJ #201: God’s revelation transitioned from the Old Covenant to the New Testament or Gospel of Christ. [JN 15:22-25] Theism per the OT satisfies GRFS only until a person learns the NT, at which time he/she becomes responsible for accepting its teaching about Jesus. There is no good/godly reason not to become a Christian (TOJ #61).

Later is not always or necessarily better. Many teachings of some popes, Mohammed and Joseph Smith are retrograde or steps backward toward OT legalism that contradict NT grace.
 
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GWH

Groovy
#194
Oct 19, 2024
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#194
TOJ #202: Some so-called theists will think God wants Christians to be excommunicated or even killed. [JN 16:2-3] “Theists” who have fulfilled Jesus’ prophecy include some “Jews” (the Sanhedrin, MT 27:1), “Christians” (e.g. medieval Roman Catholic popes) and fanatical “Muslims” (terrorists). (See TOJ #70 & #184.)

TOJ #203: God’s Word is truth. [JN 17:17] (See TOJ #175 & #182.) Here are other biblical synonyms:
GW = Spirit = truth = light = life = wisdom = power = love = law
(JN 6:63) (1JN 5:6) (JN 1:4) (JN 1:4) (PR 8:1&35) (JR 10:12) (EPH 3:16f.) (GL 5:14)

TOJ #204: God wants all Believers to become perfectly unified or loving. [JN 17:11&23b] Paul exhorted Believers (in EPH 4:3) “to keep the unity of the Spirit.” Those who have received God’s Holy Spirit manifest an ecumenical mind.
 
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