Hi there,
James here.
I'm a new member of this site and I'm super excited to be here.
Let me tell you what happened today at church.
I went to a church today to celebrate Easter Sunday.
After listening to the sermon, I approached one of the elders in the church after the service to ask a question.
I wondered what happened to Jesus between Good Friday and Easter Sunday and quoted the verses in the books of Ephesians 4:8-10 and 1 Peter 3:18-19. The conversation got a little bit heated when the elder questioned my motive for asking this question on the day when we should celebrate the risen savior of Jesus Christ.
To avoid further conflicts, I did not continue with the conversation for much longer.
Instead, I decided to ask ChatGPT, and below is the conversation.
My questions to you all are
1. is it unreasonable to ask what might have happened to Jesus after his death? is it a trivial issue compared to the gospel that we shouldn't focus too much on looking at these things?
2. do you agree with the ChatGPT's answer on the work of the Holy Spirit which says "Additionally, some Christians may find the Book of Revelation challenging to understand and interpret, even with the guidance of the Holy Spirit."
Thank you for seeing my post and I look forward to your comments!
Kind regards,
James
Q. is gospel compared to the milk of the word
A. Yes, the gospel is often compared to the milk of the word in the Bible. This analogy is used to describe the foundational teachings of Christianity that are essential for new believers to understand before moving on to more advanced teachings. In 1 Corinthians 3:2, the apostle Paul tells the Corinthian church, "I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready." This implies that the gospel is like milk, which is easy to digest and understand, whereas solid food represents more complex teachings that require greater spiritual maturity. Similarly, in Hebrews 5:12-14, the author rebukes the Hebrew Christians for their spiritual immaturity, saying that they need to move beyond the basic teachings of the gospel to more advanced doctrines.
Q. What is considered solid food
A. In the context of the Bible, "solid food" refers to the deeper and more complex teachings of scripture that require a higher level of spiritual maturity to understand and apply. It includes topics such as the nature of God, the role of the Holy Spirit, the sovereignty of God, the meaning of the cross and the resurrection, and the importance of living a holy and obedient life. These teachings require more than just a surface-level understanding and require a deeper level of commitment and faith.
Q. What is considered solid food
A. There are various teachings in the Bible that are considered "solid food" for mature Christians, including:
Q. Christians often insist on going back to the gospel if disagreements happen. why is that
A. Christians often go back to the gospel when disagreements happen because it is the foundation of their faith. The gospel message of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross for the forgiveness of sins is the most important aspect of Christianity. It is a unifying message that brings believers together, regardless of denominational or theological differences. By returning to the gospel, Christians can refocus on the core beliefs that unite them and avoid getting sidetracked by secondary issues or disputes. Additionally, the gospel provides a framework for understanding other aspects of the Bible, including the Old Testament, prophecies, and teachings on Christian living.
Q. it doesn't answer the complex questions
A. That is correct. While the gospel is foundational and essential to the Christian faith, there are many complex questions and issues that require more in-depth study and understanding of the Scriptures. This is where the concept of solid food comes in, as mentioned in the Bible. Solid food refers to the deeper, more complex teachings of the Bible that require spiritual maturity and understanding. While the gospel is important, it is not sufficient to answer all questions and issues that may arise in the Christian life.
Q. Isn't it true that the holy spirit within our hearts is guiding us to understand these messages?
A. Yes, it is true that the Holy Spirit within our hearts can guide us to understand the messages in the Bible, including the Book of Revelation. Christians believe that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity and is present in the lives of believers to guide, comfort, and empower them.
According to the Bible, the Holy Spirit is the one who reveals the truth of God's word to us (John 16:13). As we seek to understand the message of the Book of Revelation, we can pray for the Holy Spirit's guidance and wisdom, as well as rely on trusted teachers, commentaries, and other resources.
However, it is also important to remember that the Holy Spirit does not work in isolation and often uses other believers and sources to help us understand God's word. As such, seeking wise counsel and studying the Bible in the community can be beneficial in gaining a deeper understanding of the Book of Revelation and other parts of the Bible.
Q. Then why is it difficult among believers to talk about these things if the same holy spirit is working within us
A. While the Holy Spirit can help us understand the messages in the Bible, Christians may still have differing interpretations of certain passages, including those in the Book of Revelation. These differences in interpretation can sometimes lead to disagreements or debates among believers.
Additionally, some Christians may find the Book of Revelation challenging to understand and interpret, even with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The complex symbolism and apocalyptic language used in the book can be difficult to grasp, and the potential for misinterpretation or extremism can make some believers hesitant to discuss it openly.
Furthermore, cultural and denominational differences can also play a role in how Christians approach the Book of Revelation. Some may have been taught specific interpretations or eschatological views that differ from others, leading to disagreements and misunderstandings.
Despite these challenges, it is still important for believers to study and discuss the Book of Revelation, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit and learning from each other. By approaching the book with humility and an openness to different perspectives, Christians can gain a deeper understanding of its message and its relevance to their lives.
Q. the book of Acts chapter 10 describes believers skeptical of Peter's message initially but agreeing with him when the holy spirit came on them
A. Yes, that is correct.
In Acts chapter 10, Peter was sent by the Lord to visit the home of Cornelius, a Roman centurion who was a devout man, but not a Jew. This was a significant moment because up until that point, the gospel message had been mainly preached to Jews, and there was a belief among some Jewish believers that Gentiles were unclean and could not be saved.
When Peter arrived, he shared the gospel with Cornelius and his household. Initially, they were skeptical and did not understand what Peter was saying. However, as Peter was speaking, the Holy Spirit came upon Cornelius and his household, and they began to speak in tongues and praise God. This was evidence to Peter and the other Jewish believers who were with him that God had indeed granted salvation to the Gentiles.
As a result of this experience, Peter and the other Jewish believers were able to overcome their skepticism and accept the reality that the gospel message was for all people, regardless of their race or background. This event helped to pave the way for the spread of the gospel to the Gentiles, which was a significant development in the early church.
This story also highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding believers and revealing the truth to them. Through the Holy Spirit, Cornelius and his household were able to receive the gospel message and be saved, and Peter and the other Jewish believers were able to overcome their prejudices and accept God's plan for all people.
James here.
I'm a new member of this site and I'm super excited to be here.
Let me tell you what happened today at church.
I went to a church today to celebrate Easter Sunday.
After listening to the sermon, I approached one of the elders in the church after the service to ask a question.
I wondered what happened to Jesus between Good Friday and Easter Sunday and quoted the verses in the books of Ephesians 4:8-10 and 1 Peter 3:18-19. The conversation got a little bit heated when the elder questioned my motive for asking this question on the day when we should celebrate the risen savior of Jesus Christ.
To avoid further conflicts, I did not continue with the conversation for much longer.
Instead, I decided to ask ChatGPT, and below is the conversation.
My questions to you all are
1. is it unreasonable to ask what might have happened to Jesus after his death? is it a trivial issue compared to the gospel that we shouldn't focus too much on looking at these things?
2. do you agree with the ChatGPT's answer on the work of the Holy Spirit which says "Additionally, some Christians may find the Book of Revelation challenging to understand and interpret, even with the guidance of the Holy Spirit."
Thank you for seeing my post and I look forward to your comments!
Kind regards,
James
Q. is gospel compared to the milk of the word
A. Yes, the gospel is often compared to the milk of the word in the Bible. This analogy is used to describe the foundational teachings of Christianity that are essential for new believers to understand before moving on to more advanced teachings. In 1 Corinthians 3:2, the apostle Paul tells the Corinthian church, "I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready." This implies that the gospel is like milk, which is easy to digest and understand, whereas solid food represents more complex teachings that require greater spiritual maturity. Similarly, in Hebrews 5:12-14, the author rebukes the Hebrew Christians for their spiritual immaturity, saying that they need to move beyond the basic teachings of the gospel to more advanced doctrines.
Q. What is considered solid food
A. In the context of the Bible, "solid food" refers to the deeper and more complex teachings of scripture that require a higher level of spiritual maturity to understand and apply. It includes topics such as the nature of God, the role of the Holy Spirit, the sovereignty of God, the meaning of the cross and the resurrection, and the importance of living a holy and obedient life. These teachings require more than just a surface-level understanding and require a deeper level of commitment and faith.
Q. What is considered solid food
A. There are various teachings in the Bible that are considered "solid food" for mature Christians, including:
- Understanding the nature and character of God (Hebrews 6:1-2).
- Knowing the deeper truths about salvation (Hebrews 5:11-14).
- Understanding the role and work of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life (John 16:12-15).
- Studying and interpreting the Bible in context (2 Timothy 2:15).
- Understanding and applying the principles of Christian living and discipleship (Ephesians 4:11-16).
- Developing spiritual discernment and the ability to distinguish truth from error (1 Corinthians 2:14-16).
Q. Christians often insist on going back to the gospel if disagreements happen. why is that
A. Christians often go back to the gospel when disagreements happen because it is the foundation of their faith. The gospel message of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross for the forgiveness of sins is the most important aspect of Christianity. It is a unifying message that brings believers together, regardless of denominational or theological differences. By returning to the gospel, Christians can refocus on the core beliefs that unite them and avoid getting sidetracked by secondary issues or disputes. Additionally, the gospel provides a framework for understanding other aspects of the Bible, including the Old Testament, prophecies, and teachings on Christian living.
Q. it doesn't answer the complex questions
A. That is correct. While the gospel is foundational and essential to the Christian faith, there are many complex questions and issues that require more in-depth study and understanding of the Scriptures. This is where the concept of solid food comes in, as mentioned in the Bible. Solid food refers to the deeper, more complex teachings of the Bible that require spiritual maturity and understanding. While the gospel is important, it is not sufficient to answer all questions and issues that may arise in the Christian life.
Q. Isn't it true that the holy spirit within our hearts is guiding us to understand these messages?
A. Yes, it is true that the Holy Spirit within our hearts can guide us to understand the messages in the Bible, including the Book of Revelation. Christians believe that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity and is present in the lives of believers to guide, comfort, and empower them.
According to the Bible, the Holy Spirit is the one who reveals the truth of God's word to us (John 16:13). As we seek to understand the message of the Book of Revelation, we can pray for the Holy Spirit's guidance and wisdom, as well as rely on trusted teachers, commentaries, and other resources.
However, it is also important to remember that the Holy Spirit does not work in isolation and often uses other believers and sources to help us understand God's word. As such, seeking wise counsel and studying the Bible in the community can be beneficial in gaining a deeper understanding of the Book of Revelation and other parts of the Bible.
Q. Then why is it difficult among believers to talk about these things if the same holy spirit is working within us
A. While the Holy Spirit can help us understand the messages in the Bible, Christians may still have differing interpretations of certain passages, including those in the Book of Revelation. These differences in interpretation can sometimes lead to disagreements or debates among believers.
Additionally, some Christians may find the Book of Revelation challenging to understand and interpret, even with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The complex symbolism and apocalyptic language used in the book can be difficult to grasp, and the potential for misinterpretation or extremism can make some believers hesitant to discuss it openly.
Furthermore, cultural and denominational differences can also play a role in how Christians approach the Book of Revelation. Some may have been taught specific interpretations or eschatological views that differ from others, leading to disagreements and misunderstandings.
Despite these challenges, it is still important for believers to study and discuss the Book of Revelation, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit and learning from each other. By approaching the book with humility and an openness to different perspectives, Christians can gain a deeper understanding of its message and its relevance to their lives.
Q. the book of Acts chapter 10 describes believers skeptical of Peter's message initially but agreeing with him when the holy spirit came on them
A. Yes, that is correct.
In Acts chapter 10, Peter was sent by the Lord to visit the home of Cornelius, a Roman centurion who was a devout man, but not a Jew. This was a significant moment because up until that point, the gospel message had been mainly preached to Jews, and there was a belief among some Jewish believers that Gentiles were unclean and could not be saved.
When Peter arrived, he shared the gospel with Cornelius and his household. Initially, they were skeptical and did not understand what Peter was saying. However, as Peter was speaking, the Holy Spirit came upon Cornelius and his household, and they began to speak in tongues and praise God. This was evidence to Peter and the other Jewish believers who were with him that God had indeed granted salvation to the Gentiles.
As a result of this experience, Peter and the other Jewish believers were able to overcome their skepticism and accept the reality that the gospel message was for all people, regardless of their race or background. This event helped to pave the way for the spread of the gospel to the Gentiles, which was a significant development in the early church.
This story also highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding believers and revealing the truth to them. Through the Holy Spirit, Cornelius and his household were able to receive the gospel message and be saved, and Peter and the other Jewish believers were able to overcome their prejudices and accept God's plan for all people.
-
2
- Show all
