Theological Questions from a newbie

[myscarsareHis]

i’d just like to introduce myself to all of you, as this seems like an amazing website, and i can’t wait to meet a lot of great people who share my faith and love for Jesus. my name is Alison, i am sixteen, and i was born again on november 22, 2007, the night that my broken past was healed and redeemed. my past is filled with cutting, depression, anxiety, homosexuality and suicide (a near-death experience), and if God hadn’t intervened on march 28, 2007, with a small miracle that saved my life after i attempted suicide at the age of fourteen, i would literally be in Hell right now. after spending four months in my third psychiatric hospitalization, just a few months later, i was introduced to Jesus by a young man over the Internet – i was raised Catholic, and i have always been extremely religious – unnaturally religious, especially as a young child, especially at the age of eleven – except for the three years that i endured extreme suffering and pain physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. i was incredibly self-destructive, selfish and broken, and had been diagnosed with severe major depression, severe anxiety, dysmythia, social phobia and traits of borderline personality disorder. all of this is now gone, healed and redeemed in the precious Blood of Jesus. i will never forget the night that i fell to my knees, sobbing hysterically, and invited Him into my heart and life forever – i will never forget the healing and redemption and forgiveness that took place, and the incredible feeling of love and warmth that washed over me in that incredible moment. i had destroyed myself to the point that i thought i was beyond redemption, too worthless to be loved, but that night Satan lost his hold on my life and Jesus has been my Everything ever since.

i love reading, writing poetry and prose and drawing and painting, so expect a lot of writing from me. i write a lot about my past with religious overtones about how i’ve been saved and healed, and i hope and pray that my writing will inspire and touch many of you. i feel that God is calling me to do something with my writing to help others, and i’ve already been sharing my writing as a tool to witness to the people around me who need Him. my spiritual life at the moment is rather confused, but hopeful – for the past year i have considered myself a nondenominational evangelical Christian, yet i feel that the Holy Spirit is leading me back to Catholicism, and so i am returning to my old beliefs, yet i have a lot of questions and issues that i tend to talk to my pastor about. i would really appreciate your thoughts and prayers, if you would mind praying that i find the Truth and that i am able to diligently pursue it with all of my heart. i’m confused right now, but i know that God will lead me in the right direction to where He wants me to be, so i’m not afraid. i have a lot of questions, so if any of you think you can answer them (for example: obviously, i’ve committed many mortal sins in my life – does that mean i’m going to spend a long time in purgatory?) i would really appreciate it.

all of you, please feel free to contact me anytime you need anything at all. i can’t wait to meet a lot of great people, and i can’t wait to spend time talking about my faith and growing in my walk with Christ. if you’d ever like to hear my complete testimony or read some of my writing before i submit it, please don’t hesitate to ask—i am extremely open about my faith and my experiences, so you don’t ever need to worry about offending me. God bless you all—know that i will be keeping everyone on this website in my constant thoughts and prayers. stay strong and safe, and know that you can always contact me about anything.

love,
in the peace and love of Christ,
alison xx

 

[jari]

(for example: obviously, i’ve committed many mortal sins in my life – does that mean i’m going to spend a long time in purgatory?) i would really appreciate it.

No. catholics made that doctrine but its not in the Bible.

 

[myscarsareHis]

well, what i've read ...

well, actually, i've been reading a lot about Catholic apologetics, and this is the evidence from the Bible that one excellent book gives to support the doctrine of purgatory:

“For if he were not expecting that those who had fallen would rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead. But if he was looking to the splendid reward that is laid up for those who fall asleep in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Therefore he made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin.” [2 Macc. 12:44-45]

“Make friends quickly with your accuser, while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison; truly, I say to you, you will never get out till you have paid the last penny.” [Matt. 5:25-26]

“Each man’s work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.” [1 Cor. 3:13-15]

“For Christ also died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit; in which He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly did not obey.” [I Pet. 3:18-20]

“But nothing unclean shall enter it [Heaven].” [Rev. 21:27]

even though the word “purgatory” isn’t specifically contained in the Bible, neither is the word “Trinity,” which is a doctrine that all Christians practice. i’m not trying to start an argument, that’s just what i’ve read and what i’m starting to believe. i’d really appreciate more of your thoughts on this, though. thank you for responding.

love,
in the peace and love of Christ,
alison xx

 

[Lion_of_Judah]

I'm not familiar with Macc. But in the word it's very plain, " it is appointed unto man once to die, and after this to face judgement." Heb. 9:27
It strikes me therefore, prayers on the behalf of someone after they have died is a moot point.. Since it is 'their choices' which have already planned the way of their eternal destiny. Not the prayers of those of whom they are no longer with.


Marco

 

[Katzie]

Welcome Myscarsarehis to TalkJesus

You're testimony is very inspiring and I pray that the Lord would use you to bring other teenagers to Him.

I would suggest that you bring your questions to the Counseling section of this forum. This is a truly spirit filled forum with many who have great knowledge of the Bible who will be able to help you with any questions you have. You're questions being here could easily not be seen.

I am going to do some research in the scripture in order to answer your questions with scriptual references. But there is no purgatory and Catholic is a religion and they add doctrine to the Bible, it is not based only on the word of God and that in it self is a sin.

Deut. 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I commanded you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it that ye may keep the commandents of the Lord, your God which I command you.

Love in Christ,
Katzie

 

[Chad]

Welcome to the forums Alison! I'm glad you're here. I read your testimony, some very powerful stuff there that GOD delivered you from. Please post your testimony in the testimony forum so others can see it and give glory to GOD.

I'm confident you'll like this site. Whatever questions you have, please post them in the related forum.

GOD bless

 

[SpiritLedEd]

even though the word “purgatory” isn’t specifically contained in the Bible, neither is the word “Trinity,” which is a doctrine that all Christians practice.

Alison, you'll find that Protestant theology and Catholic theology are not in agreement on this issue. I suggest that, while such issues have relevance, it would be better for you, as a newly born-again believer, to concentrate on your relationship with Jesus, learning about him and his works. Get grounded in Jesus through studying the gospels and the epistles. Then you can branch out.

SLE

 

[jari]

Hi i try to answer the verses you posted.

[2 Macc. 12:44-45]

book of macc is not in the bibble so i can disregard that.

[Matt. 5:25-26]

Matt 5:25-26 is about forgiving your brother like God has forgiven you. if we do not forgive our brother God is is very able to schold you right here and riggt now on earth.

[1 Cor. 3:13-15]

In 1 Cor. 3:13-15 apostle Paul speaks about work done in other people. So if this work will burn he him self will be saved as through fire (which means all the hassle when some's faith will be gone).

[I Pet. 3:18-20]

These are the people dead before Jesus came on earth. Like the israelites that we chosen nation but some of them had to died due to disabediance.


“But nothing unclean shall enter it [Heaven].” [Rev. 21:27]

Thats why we need to be cleaned in Jesus blood, that alone can make us pure for heaven and i believe that God has made everyone who Jesus has redeemed and gave the Holy spirit to dwell in.

 

[TheWidowsOffering]

dear allison

i agree a lot to SLE.. and welcome to TJ. May you enjoy fellowship here.

Alison, you'll find that Protestant theology and Catholic theology are not in agreement on this issue. I suggest that, while such issues have relevance, it would be better for you, as a newly born-again believer, to concentrate on your relationship with Jesus, learning about him and his works. Get grounded in Jesus through studying the gospels and the epistles. Then you can branch out.

SLE

Amen.
I'm glad to read your signature. What a powerful declaration.

i would really appreciate your thoughts and prayers, if you would mind praying that i find the Truth

The Lord Jesus alone is Truth. If you have Jesus, Truth is in you.


Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6


When i got born again, i got also a lot of questions regarding theology, doctrines and religions. I read a lot of books and encyclopedias just to have answers and the Bible itself. Compared doctrine to doctrine, theology to theology, religion to religion, read some history, yea, even the history of the Bible and how it was written:shade:, and everything i wanted to know. After having all the answers, i decided myself which one to believe and to follow. And never turned back to where i am. I devoured my Bible everyday..


I pray that the Lord will guide you in your search. Though you have searched for Him already. Or the Lord finding you? Amen.

I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: Isaiah 65:1

Maintain your relationship with Jesus, read your Bible, pray..



with love and prayers,


Reymielin

 

[beam]

Greetings to you in Jesus precious name my sister,

Glory to God for the great miracle (by no means small) He has done in your life. It truly is an awesome experience when we are at our wits end and there is absolutely nothing we ourselves can do about our situation and then God just steps right in. The relief of being out of that prison, darkness, torment and bondage is jus FFFAAAABBBBUUULLLOOOUUSS aint it?

I have also just recently come across teachings about the word "Trinity" not being in the bible. In the past i would get a bit freaked out and jittery and wonder what is going on now??? Well lets keep it simple (as it should be)
1. God is in heaven with Christ seated on His right hand side..Ephesians 1:20 / Hebrews 8:1
2. Jesus is in heaven with God and intercedes for us always..Hebrews 7:25
3. The Holy spirit was there since before the beginning and all through the Bible and continues the work of Jesus here on earth in us..Genesis 1:2 / Exodus 31:3 / Ephesians 1:13

so what i say to the Lord and the self is... Father I know there are three of you carrying out Your perfect purpose and you are all in 1000% total, total agreement with each other and that is good enough for me for now. I love you all, I acknowledge you all, you are all divine and Holy, I am truly blessed to have three of you working for my good.

The reason why born again believers don't believe in purgatory is that when you accepted Christ into your life, you were immediately taken out of darkness and placed in the light. 1Peter 2:9-10..You my dear sister have received God's mercy, you have the mercy of the most High, you have so much mercy, you will not be going to a place called purgatory.

The whole plan of calvary and the crucifixion was to save us sinners. Romans 3:23 we all originally deserved death because we were ALL born into sin and..the wages of sin is death..Romans 6:23. Jesus died to pay for those wages of death so that we do not have to pay anything, you do not have to be punished further still by going to a place called purgatory.

If Christ has saved you completely totally and utterly, why would you still need to be punished a bit more before you could be found worthy to enter heaven. Then we are in fact saying to Jesus, "Lord what you did on the cross was not quite enough for me and because of some sins that i am still going to do before i die, (or have already done that i cannot be fully forgiven for) i will need to be punished a bit more before i can enter heaven"

If you had to still go to purgatory for a while before you could enter heaven, then YOU would be paying the price for your own sins, because purgatory is punishment for sin, right, well then you would be making the price that Jesus already paid FULLY for your sins null and void. And i have a hunch that you do believe that Jesus has paid the full price on the cross for you.

We believe that Jesus Christ paid the TOTAL price for our sins. God punished Jesus on the cross in our place and when we accept that by Faith, the biggest miracle of all happens,you are saved girl, completely totally and utterly, this is God's awesome fantastic gift of love, grace and mercy toward you, this is His awesome gift to you my angel, you will never need to suffer again after you die. Ephesians 2:1-10

We of course will still go through trials and tribulations here on earth. We will still fall into sin and learn not to fall into that sin again,( therefore we begin to grow better and better at our relationship with Father. You are so so so so special, you would never need to go to a place like purgatory. Remember Jesus said "It is finished". He was saying ALL the payment for sin is now Done, there is NO MORE payment that Jesus had to make or we have to make. You have been saved by God's awesome grace, His grace to you is this, when you do fall into sin you are allowed to immediately go to Him and say Father I have sinned, i did this or that and i don't want to do it anymore, please forgive me in Jesus name. Amen 1John 1:9 You will and can overcome sin by the power of the Holy Spirit of God that is given you the second you call on Jesus with all your heart, which is what you have already done. amen

It is Not by works that you are saved, If you had to go to this place called purgatory you would in fact be "working" out your own punishment for the cleansing of your soul. We also cannot be saved by ANY amount of 'good works/deeds' we do here on earth, we are saved by Grace through faith in Jesus' complete redemption for us. Believing in purgatory makes Jesus Christ's redemption of souls incomplete. And we know they are complete because Jesus said "It is finished" i.e. "it is complete"

but those who trust (believe & have faith) in God will never be put to shame. Jeremiah 17:5 & 7

When you truly accepted Jesus into your life that night, your sins were not paid for only until that night my love, they were paid for up until the day you die, your future sins have been paid for, you do not have to pay for them. This attitude is not freedom for us to sin, it is freedom for us to come closer to God, Gal 5:13, what awesome freedom, even freedom from a place you were taught as purgatory. 1John 2:1

This is not to say that we can just go ahead and sin as we like now, rather we now co-operate with God's truth (John 14:6) His word and we learn to stand up against those sinful desires within ourselves and overcome the temptation (that is crouching at our door, waiting to have us) with the armor of the Lord and the sword of the spirit which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17. The bible still remains the unmatched spiritual weapon of all time.

The very minute you accepted Jesus he marked you with a seal, You became a partaker of the Holy Spirit..Eph 1;13. When you die the Holy Spirit will definately not go with you to a place you know as purgatory. God has also promised you something else, will you dare to believe Him, will you have faith in His word...He will never leave you nor forsake you, Joshua 1:5 that means when you die His Spirit is still with you and because the Holy Spirit will never go to purgatory, nor will He forsake you to go there, YOU my darling will just have to go with Him....straight into the arms of Jesus, Hallelujah!

Purgatory is a doctrine that goes AGAINST the very reason of the cross of calvary.

Please meditate on Galations 1:6-9

I think i quoted so much of Ephesians you might as well read the book, LOL.
You are seeking truth and truth God said is what you will find my precious precious sista

May God open His word to you and give you great understanding that you teach others His truth, His way in Jesus name, amen

Lotsa love beam

 

[JLIVHarris]

Alison, I grew up in the in the southeast as “nondenominational evangelical Christian”. When I was away from the Lord (mostly college) I met my wife. She was Lutheran. I know church history a bit so Lutheran was protestant and thus Christian and ok. Lutheran has many doctrinal differences from what I grew up with as a kid. Over the last 20+ years I have found very little to change my mind about my issues with these Lutheran doctrines. In the last 3-4 years the lord has really been drawing me closer to him. This has made me think about should I find a church I am more aligned with or stay in the Lutheran church and continue to address my differences with them. I am currently working with the words “grow where you are planted”. So, until I get clear direction otherwise, here I stay.

For you, Nondenominational vs Catholic. There were many reasons for the protestant reformation. There still are many differences. Some little and some major/critical differences. All I can say is pray, pray, pray, read your Bible and stay in contact with other fellow Christians. God will lead you in the path he has for you. Trust in God and be open to his leading.

Sometimes being still before the lord is the hardest and most beneficial part of prayer. Psalms 46:10a Be still, and know that I am God: …

God bless you in your walk with him.

 

[TheWidowsOffering]

Alison, I grew up in the in the southeast as “nondenominational evangelical Christian”. When I was away from the Lord (mostly college) I met my wife. She was Lutheran. I know church history a bit so Lutheran was protestant and thus Christian and ok. Lutheran has many doctrinal differences from what I grew up with as a kid. Over the last 20+ years I have found very little to change my mind about my issues with these Lutheran doctrines. In the last 3-4 years the lord has really been drawing me closer to him. This has made me think about should I find a church I am more aliened with or stay in the Lutheran church and continue to address my differences with them. I am currently working with the words “grow where you are planted”. So, until I get clear direction otherwise, here I stay.

For you, Nondenominational vs Catholic. There were many reasons for the protestant reformation. There still are many differences. Some little and some major/critical differences. All I can say is pray, pray, pray, read your Bible and stay in contact with other fellow Christians. God will lead you in the path he has for you. Trust in God and be open to his leading.

Sometimes being still before the lord is the hardest and most beneficial part of prayer. Psalms 46:10a Be still, and know that I am God: …

God bless you in your walk with him.

one more big A here.. As in AAAAAAAaamennnnnn..:shade:

God bless you bro.

 

[jiggyfly]

All I can say is pray, pray, pray, read your Bible and stay in contact with other fellow Christians. God will lead you in the path he has for you. Trust in God and be open to his leading.

.

Very good advice hereJLIVHarris

I am currently working with the words “grow where you are planted”. So, until I get clear direction otherwise, here I stay.

Very good words to meditate on. Where are we planted? Are we planted in Jesus Christ or maybe a religious institution. When it comes to spiritual growth I think of this, can you grow where your at?

 

[JLIVHarris]

Very good advice hereJLIVHarris



Very good words to meditate on. Where are we planted? Are we planted in Jesus Christ or maybe a religious institution. When it comes to spiritual growth I think of this, can you grow where your at?

<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" />
What “grow where you are planted” means to me.
<o> </o>
It is a phrase that has many meanings to me. My use of the term was kind of intended to use most of them. As Christians we are to always grow in our faith and service to the Lord Jesus Christ. We do this through prayer, study, Christian fellowship and service to one another in the love of Christ.
<o> </o>
· Psa 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
· 1Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
· 1Ti 2:8 I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
· 2Ti 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
· Rev 2:19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
· Eph 6:7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
<o> </o>
The sovereignty of God has places all of us in this world to bring glory to Him. We are only complete when we are in fellowship with God father by the work of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.
<o> </o>
· Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
<o> </o>
Once we realize they we are saved by God’s grace Eph 2:8-9 to His glory Eph 2:10 we see that our lives are his. 1Co 6:18-19 s Now saved and his we are to live to the glory of God. Always pointing to The Christ as our reason for all we are and do. So in all things give thanks to God. Wherever we are. Whatever we are doing.
<o> </o>
So in all things always, wherever He has put you, live before the Lord in prayer, loving one another as Christ first loved his church. If we will do this we will grow with the Lord, our fellow brothers and sisters and in whatever physical location. It is when we take our eyes off Jesus and look at our surroundings that we start making the wrong choices and stop growing.
<o> </o>
I hope some can find this helpful. As my avatar points out, I struggle with God daily. Giving control to him is hard. I find in my walk, the more I read the Bible, pray and fellowship with others my faith grows and my craving for what is Holy is strong. But all it takes is 1 day of letting this slip and it becomes easier to slip into old habits and my craving for prayer, reading the bible, etc is diminished.
<o> </o>
I pray daily that all will find the time to grow. There is nothing else in this world that can bring more pleasure to us and Glory to God.
<o> </o>
God loves you and so do I,
Jay

 

[jiggyfly]

It is when we take our eyes off Jesus and look at our surroundings that we start making the wrong choices and stop growing.

I totally agree, and the biggest hindrance to people doing this is that most mistake focusing on the religious system, with all its components as the same as focusing on Christ. While the religious system might help one become a better church member it does not help one grow spiritually and focus on Christ.

 

[beam]

Amen to that jiggyfly,

We must persue and maintain a relationship with Christ himself and not the church. We must stay focused while going to church, it should always be about Lifting Jesus up and loving our fellow brethren.

Regards
beam

 

[rlowe]

Lu 23:43 (NIV) Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
{Jesus said this to 1 of the 2 theives on the crosses next to Him.}
@ Search for: 'paradise' - NIV - Online Study Bible

ELOHIM: God (a plural noun, more than two, used with singular verbs); Elohim occurs 2,570 times in the OT, 32 times in Gen. 1. God as Creator, Preserver, Transcendent, Mighty and Strong. Eccl., Dan. Jonah use Elohim almost exclusively. See Gen. 17:7, 6:18, 9:15, 50:24; I Kings 8:23; Jer. 31:33; Isa. 40:1. @ The Names of God & Search for: 'Elohim' - CJB - Online Study Bible

May God continue to draw you closer to Him &
open your eyes to His answers.

God Bless.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

Theological Questiolns from a Newbie

For you, Nondenominational vs Catholic. There were many reasons for the protestant reformation. There still are many differences. Some little and some major/critical differences. All I can say is pray, pray, pray, read your Bible and stay in contact with other fellow Christians. God will lead you in the path he has for you. Trust in God and be open to his leading.

This sounds a lot like my story. When I came to Christ in 1983 I was in the Catholic church. It happened through a charismatic prayer community that had a delightful Scripture loving priest saying Mass every Sunday.

Then word came from the Bishop's office that a priest was not going to be available to the group and I found myself on the horns of a dilemna: do I stay Catholic or switch or switch to a non-denominational church I'd become attracted to? I prayed about it for several weeks and the more I prayed, the more I saw myself being drawn to the non-denominational church. I made the switch and its been an indescribably huge blessing to me.

SLE

 

[IsbahIshbah]

Alien Children???

:wink:Hola all. I've been reading through the book of Hosea and I ran across a scipture that umm, confused me. Its Hosea 6:2; They have dealt faithlessly with the Lord; for they have borne alien children.


Is this term "alien" children mean a child from a person or "nation" that is not a follow of Jesus Christ? They were separating Baal worshipers from Jesus worshipers...what exactly would an alien child be to the Lord?? I could be taking it out of context, I need LOTS of studying.

Any help...pleeaasseeee??

Ishbah

 

[SpiritLedEd]

:wink:Hola all. I've been reading through the book of Hosea and I ran across a scipture that umm, confused me. Its Hosea 6:2; They have dealt faithlessly with the Lord; for they have borne alien children.


Is this term "alien" children mean a child from a person or "nation" that is not a follow of Jesus Christ? They were separating Baal worshipers from Jesus worshipers...what exactly would an alien child be to the Lord?? I could be taking it out of context, I need LOTS of studying.

Any help...pleeaasseeee??

Ishbah

The correct citation is Hosea 5:7 and the reference is to spiritual birth. It involves their drifting away from God, causing their children to move toward pagan lifestyles.

SLE