This is a statement of things I happen to believe from my study of the Holy Scriptures.. This is by no means a complete list but some that I believe in regarding my faith in God and scripture as it pertains to individuals, our nation and the world in the end times.

I believe in the God of the bible ( Exodus 3:6-14)

I believe the Holy Bible to be the Word of God. I believe in its History, covenants, and Prophecy (IITimothy 3:16, IIPeter 1:21)

I believe in the Bible account of Creation (Gen 1 and 2). I believe in Jesus Christ as the only begotten Son of God, the Word made Flesh (John 1:14). I believe that Christ died for us (Romans 5:8), also, that He was raised from the dead (Romans 6:4,Rev 1:18). I believe in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ on Calvary (Romans 5:11)not only for Israel, but for the sins of the world ( IJohn 2:2). I believe Jesus Christ ascended into Heaven ( Mark 16:19, Hebrews 8:1). I believe in the literal return of Jesus Christ (Zechariah 14:4, Acts 1:9-14) when He shall take the Throne of David ( Isaiah 9:6-7, Luke 1:32-33) and rule on earth for the prophetic thousand years known as the millennium ( Revelation 20:4, Zechariah 14:9). I believe that " god so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whomsoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life: (John 3:16). I believe in the holy Spirit and His mission ( John 16:7-14, Acts 2). I believe salvation is by grace through faith, and it is the gift of God, and not of works ( Ephesians 2:8-9). It must be preached (Romans 10:14) and it is necessary for all (Romans 3:23). I believe in water baptism as an ordaination of God for all that believe ( Mathew 3:13-15, Romans 6:3-5, Acts 2:37-39).

I believe in the ordinance of communion as established by Jesus Christ in ( Mathew 26:26-29, I Corinthians 10:16).
I believe in prayer, and whatever the immediate purpose, prayer should be that God's Will be done on earth ( Matthew 6:10, I John 5:14-15). We must forgive to be forgiven ( Matthew 6:14). The Holy Spirit will help us to pray ( Romans 8:26-27). If we ask in faith and in the Name of Jesus Christ, He will hear ( John 15:16, James 1:6-7). I believe that God chose out a special people unto Himself to be His servants and those servants were to be descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob called "Israel" ( Deuteronomy 7:6, Psalm 105:6, Isaaiah 44:1-2).

I believe that the Bible with god's law, statutes and judgements was given to Israel ( Exodus 20, Psalm 147:19-20) and through Israiel's prophets came the Inspired Scriptures ( II Timothy 3:16, II Peter 1:21). I believe civil law was given by God to Israel ( Deuteronomy 4:1-2). The law was given for Israel's good ( Deut 5:33). God commands us to obey civil law ( Romans 13: 1-7).
I believe that one day out of seven is the Sabbath of the Lord (Exodus 20:10) and that Israel was to keep it ( Deut 5:15) as a sign between Israel and the Lord ( Exodus 31:16-17). I believe Christ became our Sabbath ( Hebrew 4:8, Colossians 2: 16-17). I believe that Israel was to be punished if God's laws for the nation were disregarded ( Deut 28:15-68, Isaiah 42:24, Amos 3:2). I believe that the New Covenant was made with Israel ( Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 8:8-12) which meant Israel was to become Christian and that Jesus confirmed that Covenant ( Galations 3:16-17, Romans 15:8). I believe that Israel was promised redemption ( Psalm 130:7-8, Isaiah 52:3, Hosea 13:9-14, and that Jesus Christ came to israel ( Matthew 10:6), that He was recognized as the Redeemer of Israel ( Galations 4:5, Titus 2:14), and that His death and resurrection accomplished that redemption ( Galations 4:4-5, Hebrews 9:12). I believe that after Christ's death and resurrection Israel was to be called by a new name ( Isaiah 62:2). Israel was not to be remembered by her old name ( Hosea 2:17), and, the new name was to be the Lords Name ( II Chronicles 7:14) which would be Christian, (Acts 11:26, I Peter 4:16). I believe that each individual, of Israel or not, must be born of water and of the Spirit to be a Christian ( John 3:3-8, I Peter 1:23). I believe in an existing Satan, who is called the serpent ( Genesis 3:1, Revelation 12:9), who has power with devils and men ( Matthew 12:22, I Peter 5:8), who has a people who will not hear God ( John 8:44-47), some of whom deceive people as "ministers of righteousness" ( II Corinthinans 11:13-15).
I believe that Jesus Christ has broken the power of Satan ( Hebrews 2:14) and His Name makes devils impotent against Christians ( luke 10:17).
I believe that the Lord Jesus Christ along with His followers are at battle with Satan and his followers ( Ephesians 6:11-19), And that Jesus Christ is the victor in this "battle" ( Isaiah 28: 21-22, 45:17-25, Ezekiel 38-39, Hosea 13-14, Joel 3:9-21, Micah 7:16-20, Zechariah 14:9, Malachi 4, Matthew 28:18, Luke 19:27, I Corinthianns 15:24-28, Philippians 2:9-11, II Peter 3:7-13, Revelation 11:18, 15:4, 19:11-15 etc). I believe in the resurrection of the dead as prophesied ( Job 19:25-27, Hosea 13:13-14,
, John 5:29), as proven ( I Peter 1:3), as taught by the Scripture ( Acts 24: 14-15, I cor 15: 11-26) and that the resurrected will reign with Christ ( II Timothy 2:11-12) for ever ( Rev 22:1-5). I believe the seventh trump sounds after the tribulation ( Matthew 24:29-31). Paul wrote his second letter to the Thessalonians because he knew the first had been misunderstood, concerning Christ's second return. Paul then gives two signs which will be present when the Daoy of the Lord comes. Those signs being the apostasy and the man of lawlessness. Neither of these signs were present at that time.
Apostasy means giving up or renouncing of one's professed principle, or faith. This will come to pass when the religious lamb ( false messiah) of revelation 13:11 comes to pass. He will look like the Lamb of God, but his voice is of the dragon, for he is the great dragon, that old serpent, called the devil and Satan ( Rev 12:9). When the false christ stands in the holy place performing in the sight of Christians, the pretribulation - rapture - Christian shall think it is Christ coming to rapture them away. It is the duty of the Elect to stand and witness in the synagogues, allowing the Holy Spirit to give His Message to the world through you, the elect (Mark 13:9). Christ is our spiritual Husband, You should remain a spiritual virgin until He returns ( II Corinthians 11:2). for Christ Himself said, "Woe to them that are with child in those days" ( Mark 13:17). If your spiritual Husband has been on a long journey and finds you with child when He returns, then you have been impregnated ( decieved) with the Mark of the false messiah, and worshipped Satan in the last hour.

(((((( Tanya ))))) How are you? Haven't talked with you in quite some time, hope you and yours are Happy and well.

May I ask why you believe this?

Do you just naturally feel that God is mean?

Or do your believe it merely because it says that if you don't believe it you will be sorry?

Just having read over your OP it sure appears to be a fear-based belief system as you've described it.

I personally choose to believe that God is nice. Even nicer than me.

I don't see the God that you've described in the OP to even be as nice as me. I just can't imagine that my creator isn't even as nice as me. You see, I would never put people in a position where their fate depended entirely on what mythology they choose to believe. To me that's gambling with their souls on a pure guessing game.

Also, why should you put your faith in the Bible? What's wrong with the Torah, or the Quran since you're just guessing anyway? Or what about religions that aren't even associated with Mediterranean mythologies at all?

How do you explain that all Mediterranean mythologies had gods that lusted for blood sacrifices? Why do you believe that the creator of this universe would just happen to want the same things that men create superstitious tales about? Even in cultures unrelated to the Mediterranean region. They all contain blood sacrifices, they only have different reasons why their God's demand them. Thus showing that they can't all have been inspired by the same God, yet men in general have a superstition around blood and death.

I'm quite serious when I ask why you believe this religion to be true over any others. This picture of God is quite bloody and truly ugly in many ways. The very idea that God supposedly had to sacrifice his only begotten son to pay for man's horrible disobedience of him isn't a pretty picture by any measurement. It suggests that we have indeed failed our creator in a paramount way. It's a very negative picture of both humanity and God.

Why do you think that God would be so negative?

Why do you think that such a God would continue to play hide and seek when it's clear that even the clergy of religious doctrines are confused.

Like I say, I can't imagine being that cruel to any pets I might own. Therefore I can't imagine my creator being more cruel and heartless than me. For me to accept the biblical picture of God I would indeed need to believe that God is less compassionate and understanding than myself. That's an extremely scary picture. For me this would be that our creator is far from divine, and more akin to a demon than a God.

I just don't understand why anyone would choose this picture because they truly favor it. It seems to me that they would only choose it out of fear that it might be true and therefore they feel that they must appease the God by believing in the religion otherwise they will face its wrath.

I truly pray to the powers that be that our creator is not as nasty as you believe.

And just think, if I'm right that would mean that God never had to sacrifice his son as a sacrificial lamb to appease himself so that he could forgive man's disbelief in him.

Wouldn't that be great?

Or would you actually prefer to believe that this was necessary?

In other words, do you believe the bible is the word of God because you truly hope that God and man are indeed like the bible describe? Or do you merely believe it because you fear it might be true? Your OP sure seems to contain a large amount of the fear element, suggesting that anyone who doesn't believe in the Bible is worshiping some other competitive demon.

I personally know this to be incorrect.

For example, Wiccan's worship neither the Biblical God nor its demon Satan.

The North American Indians also never even heard of the Bible. They worshiped the great spirit Wanka Tanka.

Both Wicca and various other pantheistic religions are very loving religions.

Surely the biblical God would not have a problem with people who worshiop love?

If he does it would seem to me that he places his ego above love. But wouldn't that be extremely problematic for a supposedly divine being?

How can you believe in a religion that suggests that love is the enemy of God?

I believe that any loving person is automatically in good with their creator. And any religion or doctrines that suggests otherwise must necessarily be a lie, because for God to be against love is an oxymoron.

For this reason I personally feel that the Bible can't possibly be the word of God because it denounces love in favor of egotism.

Just my thoughts on your public comments concerning your own beliefs.

Why?


Because it makes you feel good?

This can be simple, just ask yourself why this set of scriptures? Have you read other religions? When did you start to believe this? Where you a child? If not then where you evil before you believed this? Did you do bad things and enjoy it before belief in JC?

Do you ask questions like WWJD?

Would JC speed?

Would JC smoke?

Would JC drink?

And how would you know WJWD? When someone writes a book about George Bush, does this give you enough insight to know WWGD?

Me I live by simple creeds.

Creed #1
Never mess with anyone because you never know who you are mess'n with. My old martial arts teacher was a 4'9 68 year old Korean man who spoke so softly you could barely hear him, never got angry was a pacifist and would never start a fight, but could take your beating heart from your chest in the time it took you to blink.

#2
Golden rule, I really don't know how anyone doesn't get this one.

#3
Every action has an equal and opposite reaction, watch out!

If this is not what JC would do, then screw him.

The reason #1 is #1 and #2 isnt #1 is because regardless of if you love or hate, or are indifferent everyone understands #1 once they got there ass kicked by someone they didnt expect to be able to do it, not everyone understand #2 regardless of what happens to them, even though I cant understand how people cannot understand it . . . sigh.

#3 is a reminder that stuff you do has a ripple effect that isn't always intuitive . . .

are you trying to tell me something TOM? can you condense it into a sentence?

Because Abra, My personal choice is GOD, CHRIST and The Bible, God is just and fair and nice, yes, nicer than you as well. And yes, God does have a problem with those that worship other things, not my rules but his.Don't see where any fear element was in my beliefs. It is just that, my beliefs,
Just my thoughts on your public comment concerning my beliefs, have a great day. No where does the bible denounce love, or good, or kindness. I know you don't believe Abra, thats fine with me, as long as you are content with your beliefs.

yes billy, i've read about other religions, No, I don't ask myself what would Jesus Do, thats a bumber sticker and I dont have one. Your #1 creed, what are you trying to say? Have I messed with anyone? I think not. Don't care about your Korean Instructor, I was there and took the arts as well, so?
I do however, believe the golden rule, and it comes from scripture more or less. and as far as no. 3, A ripple effect from anything I do is fine with me. Don't really get where you were going with all that, but no problem, answered the best I could in a short time

jWhat's up Tribo, not trying to tell you or anyone anything except shed light on my beliefs after being asked at another time what they were exactly. thats it.

quite alright Tom, it's up to you what you believe as far as i'm concerned. i never see you trying to push your beliefs on anyone, that speaks volumes to me. and you stay open to others ways and beliefs also. unlike me the troll

It's impossible for the biblical description of God to be nicer than me. I can say that with confidence simply from the stories in the Bible.

For example, I personally would have never been as mean to Job as God was.

I also wouldn't kill a person's family just to teach a particular individual a lesson, as in the case of Job.

Clearly the God described in the Bible is no where near as nice as me. That is carved in stone.

You never did answer the question of 'why' you believe it. You merely said that it's your choice.

So I take it from this that you are just guessing.

I just don't understand why anyone would want to believe on pure faith in a God who demands blood sacrifices before it can forgive disobedience.

That's another thing I would consider to be a lesser morality than myself. I would never create a universe and then ask people to kill animals to appease me for their disobedience.

Clearly we all have our own opinions, but it is my opinion that such an act is not wise, or loving, or even sane.

I would never choose to believe on pure faith that the creator of our universe is like what the bible describes.

On the contrary I pray to the powers that be that our creator is nothing at all like what the Bible describes.

It's not a pretty picture of either God or mankind, IMHO.

And this is why I choose to reject it as nothing more than manmade superstition and demagoguery.

I do believe in much of the moral values that Jesus taught, however I disagree with your the statement you made to Billy:



I too believe in the golden rule. However when you state that it comes from scripture (more or less), I'd have to say that it most certainly did not originate in Mediterranean scripture.

On the contrary Buddha and other Eastern religions and philosophies taught the golden rule long before the rumors of Jesus ever came to be.

In fact, I've read many places where Jesus is given credit for bringing the greatest wisdom to mankind ever. But that's far from true. There is nothing that Jesus taught that hadn't already been taught in Eastern religions many centuries before the time that Jesus supposedly lived.

I was just curious why you chose to believe in this picture. But it appears that you have no reason other than just because it's what you chose to believe.

You also said:



Well, I was looking at the following quotes and wondering who they are aimed at?



Why the warnings of woe to believers?

It seems to me that the only way these warnings could make sense is if believers were purposefully rejecting the God that they supposedly believe in.

But that makes no sense since a believer should believe. Duh.

So this seems to be more of a derogatory doctrine that is trying to suggest that non-believers are going to be the ones who are risking woe.

In either case, it sure sounds negative and threatening to me. I'm just not sure who the threats are aimed at. Believers, or non-believers?

Not that I truly care since I am genuinely a non-believer and therefore any threats aimed at me would be empty anyway.

But I just wonder why the negativity and fear factor in the first place?

I guess I really have a strong dislike for religions that rely on fear tactics to try to gain followers.

And again, this goes back to my original assertion that I would not be as nasty as any God who would do such a thing.

I would never use a fear factor to try to gain follower or worshipers. Especially if I was making my little pet have to guess what the hell is going on.

I'm nowhere near that cold-hearted.

If I were going to be a judgmental God I would at least have the decency of making myself known to my pets without any ambiguity at all.

I personally don't like game players. Neither mortal ones, nor spiritual ones. And I would never lower myself to become a game player, either mortal or spiritaul. So once again I'm afraid I have no choice but to claim the higher moral ground of any diety that supposedly acts in such a game-playing fashion.

Again, these are just my beliefs.

I believe that God is nicer than me. And I just don't see it in the biblical picture.

You can claim it until you're blue in the face, but the Bible just doesn't support your claim. The stories just don't support it. According to the bible the biblical God does things that I personally consider to be far less moral than my own values.

Your millage may vary, and it obviously does. But since we're posting beliefs, I thought I'd post why I don't beleive in this picture of a surpreme creator. It just doesn't appear to me to even be as moral as myself.

I don't like game players who play guessing games. And a guessing game that supposedly could affect a person's eternal future would be totally unforgivable IMHO.

Especially when it supposedly denounced decent people just because they may have guess wrong. That's totally inexcusable.

People can "choose to believe" anything they want, but I too wonder what the truth of their reasoning is.

Do you know how to be truly honest with yourself? Have you ever stopped and asked yourself honestly why you choose to believe in the Biblical picture of God? You must have a reason. Do you even know what it is?

There is a lot of pressure from society to believe in Christianity. Any Christianity. People have been exposed to its influence all of their lives from the time they were small children.

But if you had not ever been exposed to it, and suddenly someone came up to you as you lived a simple life in the jungle, and told you the stories leading to the Christian faith, you would probably laugh at them if you were the least bit reasonably intelligent.

So, just to say you believe because you choose to believe is skirting over the question. That is not an answer at all.

The question is then, why do you choose to believe this myth, which by the way I believe to be the greatest fraud ever perpetrated upon mankind, and someone, somewhere is still laughing about it.

My question is why do people choose to believe in something before investigating all information on both sides concerning it?

They are somehow made to believe that they should take it on faith. Why should they?

That is not what faith is about. Believing a story on faith is not "faith in God," it is faith in the tellers of story.
JB

fear equals hate.....

no one battles anything, less they FEAR IT, or HATE IT, but either way, IT WOULD BE CALLED THE NATURAL ENEMY OF MORTAL SELF.......

how does that FIT "love thy enemy as thyself?

HOW DOES ONE FIGHT TO DESTROY EVIL AND NOT ALSO FIGHT TO DESTROY SELF?

god must FIGHT SATAN?

a PERFECT GOD made a rebellious one that he would NEED TO FIGHT FOR GENERATIONS?

PERFECT CAN ONLY CREATE PERFECT, or there is no perfect.....

it was only saying "mortal mankind will see and feel like there is "evil" or "appear" like this......

wisdom fights to impart truth, to destroy ignorance, and this is the only battle of god over satan........

satan was only IGNORANCE OF MORE TRUTH that can come from the SAME WORDS KNOWN, BUT "DEFINED" DIFFERENTLY......

Truly, to beleive a story for no good reason is not to have 'faith in God' at all.

On the contrary. I have faith in God.

I have faith that God is far greater than the Mediterranean myths claim.

That's pure faith in God without any need for any crutch.

I can give you a myriad of reasons why I shouldn't believe in the bible. I can't give you a single solitary reason why I should.

Can you give me one reason why you should? Other than "It might be right!". That's just the fear factor which is precisely what the authors of the bible fully intended.

But would a genuine supreme creator of this universe resort to a fear factor to try to coerce people into worshiping him. If a human did that we'd think they were pathetic.

Why is this type of behavior acceptable for a supposedly all-wise, all-loving, all-perfect God?

I'm not trying to change your mind on your religion. But you posted your beliefs, and then when asked the very simple question of why you believe what you do - you have no answer.

That leads me to truly wonder whether you actually believe it at all. Or are you just trying to convince yourself that you believe it because you think it's the 'right' thing to do.

I know all about that guilt trip. Trust me. And it doesn't come from God, it comes from man.

I have since concluded that God could never be that cruel to make people grovel and grope around trying to guess about which religion to extol (if any!)

God must be nicer than me. And I could never be that cruel to any creatures that I might create.

Even I have more compassion than that. To me, that insight was the straw that broke the camel's back forever. But there was already a ton of weeds growing on the camel's back anyway.

Each to their own...

One person's perception of sin.... is another person's perception of ignorance.

Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think [of] [himself] more highly than he ought to think,

but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

John 1:9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man, coming into the world.