Acquire the Fire

THE KENOSIS OF CHRIST

2006-03-08T23:58:00.000-08:00

It’s popular today to say that Jesus in the Incarnation was fully man, but certainly not fully God. In discussing the doctrine of the Incarnation (God the Son in human flesh), Philippians 2:7 says that Jesus “emptied himself.” Does this mean that Jesus was not 100 percent God as well as 100 percent man? While historic Christianity has always affirmed that Jesus Christ was both fully
God and fully man, some have argued that in order for Jesus to have been truly human He must have divested Himself of certain divine attributes. In fact, those who affirm this very novel view nearly always appeal to Philippians 2:5-7. Which, by the way, says, “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but he emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.” The words “emptied Himself” are interpreted by a growing number of people today to mean that Christ actually laid aside certain divine attributes.

But is this correct? Well as a matter of fact, it’s not. To say that Jesus surrendered even one divine attribute is to say that Jesus is less than God, and therefore not God at all! See, if God is deprived of even one attribute, then He is not fully deity. Of course references to his deity abound in Scripture (John 1:1; 20:28; Rom. 9:5; Col. 2:9; Tit. 2:13; Heb. 1:8). And by the way, this is not only affirmed by the Bible, it’s clearly affirmed by the creeds. Of course the question is asked: If Jesus didn’t give up His deity, then what did Christ empty Himself of? Well the context indicates very clearly that Jesus veiled His glory as a sign of his humility.

He voluntarily makes Himself of no reputation. He sets aside His high position and waves His divine prerogatives because He loves us. But while Christ surrenders His divine glory, he does not surrender His divine attributes. On Christ being 100 percent God as well as 100 percent man

CHRISTIANS AND BELIEF IN JESUS CHRIST ( THE INCARNATION ) - part 2

2005-10-21T19:24:00.000-07:00

Christians frequently speak about the doctrine of the Incarnation.

Well what does this doctrine refer to, and why do
Christians consider it so incredibly important?

The term incarnation is of Latin origin, and it means “becoming in flesh.” While the word incarnation is not contained within Scripture, the doctrine of the Incarnation certainly does convey scriptural truth. The Christian doctrine of the Incarnation teaches that the Eternal Word, the second person of the Trinity, without diminishing His deity took upon Himself a fully human nature. Specifically, this doctrine implies that a full and undiminished divine nature as well as a full and perfect human nature were united in the historical person of Jesus of Nazareth. According to the Bible, Jesus Christ is God the Son, in human flesh.

Since Jesus Christ is the center of Christian doctrine and truth, His identity is of surpassing importance. It follows therefore that the doctrine of the Incarnation which reveals His identity is the foundation on which all of Christian doctrine is built. This is clearly seen when you take some time to analyze the central tenets of the historic Christian faith. For example, God’s existence: without the Incarnation, talking about or knowing God personally is mere speculation.

The Trinity: the other two members of the Trinity (Father and Holy Spirit) are only really understood and appreciated in light of the person and nature of Christ. Atonement: only Jesus Christ, who is the God-man, is able to reconcile a holy God with sinful humanity. Resurrection: a bodily resurrection which conquers death is only possible for the God-man. Justification: our state before God rests totally in our faith (personal trust) in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

KARUNUNGAN (wisdom)

2005-10-11T01:30:00.000-07:00

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault" (James 1:5).

Long before the age of computers, E.E. cummings, the English author and philosopher, asked the question, "With all our knowledge, what has happened to wisdom?" Another English writer, Samuel Johnson, described the lack of wisdom in his generation as a "mental disease." Centuries before, Solomon decried the lack of wisdom and then wrote, "A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel" (Proverbs 1:5,6, NASB). Solomon then pictured wisdom as a person who walks through the streets crying out at the foolishness of those who refuse counsel and correction.

A prison official recently was talking about the number of well-educated men and women who were confined to institutions--college graduates who were brilliant, men and women with high I.Q.'s--but there was a missing ingredient, wisdom. They weren't in prison because they were stupid; but there was something intangible missing.

The superintendent said, "The intellectual achievement of the prisoners here is very high. We have men here who are capable of holding any position in the world; there is no task or project which they could not carry through to success." Nobody questioned the fact that they knew a lot. Knowledge, they had. But lacking was wisdom, as they wasted their lives away confined to a prison. One of the greatest tragedies in all of life is that of an empty, wasted existence. Another ingredient was missing--integrity, which affected their conduct, and without integrity there is no real wisdom. Knowledge and wisdom just are not the same thing.

Long ago the Apostle Paul came to the city of ancient Corinth on the banks of the gleaming Aegean Sea. He had just been in Athens, and there had debated the philosophers of his age. The experience was still fresh in his thinking as Paul approached Corinth, which was pretty much the same as Athens with the exception of the fact that the Corinthians were noted for their debauchery. To be called a Corinthian or "to Corinthianize" meant to live a debauched, licentious life, yet the Corinthians prided themselves as being wise men. Paul called it, "the wisdom of the world," and he contrasted it with the wisdom of God.

He contrasted the cross of Christ with men's wisdom, and described it as "foolishness" to those who were perishing but the power of God to those who believe. Wisdom, as Paul saw it, reflected a different point of view, one which takes into account the scope of eternity. This kind of wisdom isn't measured in terms of I.Q., or achievement, or intellectual prowess. It sees things which others don't see and puts values to things that others consider to be non-important.

Oswald Chambers had that kind of wisdom. Turning down a successful career as an artist, Chambers became a writer and a missionary. Instead of going to Oxford on a scholarship, he chose, rather, to go to a small Bible school where he committed his life to the cause of Christ. He died in Egypt before the age of 40, yet his book My Utmost for His Highest has become a classic, touching the lives of many around the world. He lived what he wrote. One of my favorite quotes of his is, "I am not many kinds of fools in one; I am one kind of fool, the kind that believes and obeys God."

"If any of you lacks wisdom," wrote James, the half brother of Jesus, "he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault" (James 1:5).

Yes, with all our knowledge, what's happened to real wisdom?

MARIOLOGY the truth about the mediatrix - part3

2005-09-16T19:24:00.000-07:00

MARIAN CULT
Having gone through this study what do you think of this Marian Litany

Holy Mary, pray for us. Holy Mother of God, pray for us. Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us. Mother of Christ, pray for us. Mother of divine grace, pray for us. Mother most pure, pray for us. Mother most chaste, pray for us. Mother inviolate, pray for us. Mother undefiled, pray for us. Mother most amiable, pray for us. Mother most admirable, pray for us. Mother of good counsel, pray for us. Mother of our Creator, pray for us. Mother of our Saviour, pray for us. Virgin most prudent, pray for us. Virgin most venerable, pray for us. Virgin most renowned, pray for us. Virgin most powerful, pray for us. Virgin most merciful, pray for us. Virgin most faithful, pray for us. Mirror of justice, pray for us. Seat of wisdom, pray for us. Cause of our joy, pray for us. Spiritual vessel, pray for us. Vessel of honor, pray for us. Singular vessel of devotion, pray for us. Mystical rose, pray for us. Tower of David, pray for us. Tower of ivory, pray for us. House of gold, pray for us. Ark of the covenant, pray for us. Gate of heaven, pray for us Morning star, pray for us. Health of the sick, pray for us. Refuge of sinners, pray for us. Comforter of the afflicted, pray for us. Help of Christians, pray for us. Queen of angels, pray for us. Queen of patriarchs, pray for us. Queen of prophets, pray for us. Queen of apostles, pray for us. Queen of martyrs, pray for us. Queen of confessors, pray for us. Queen of virgins, pray for us. Queen of all saints, pray for us. Queen conceived without original sin, pray for us. Queen assumed into heaven, pray for us. Queen of the most holy rosary, pray for us. Queen of peace, pray for us.

When Jesus taught the disciples how to pray he said,

“When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.” (Luke 11:2)

As you can see, Jesus did not teach the disciples to pray to a Mother of divine grace, or to a Mother of our Creator, or to a Virgin most powerful, or to a Virgin most merciful. When the Apostle Paul taught the Timothy that,“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5)He did not advice Timothy or us to ask any Mother of divine grace, or any Mother of the Creator, or any Virgin most powerful or any Virgin most merciful to pray or mediate for us. We have a hotline in Jesus Christ. Look, if Mary is the Queen of Peace, why is Jesus only Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)?

The other titles ascribed by Romanists are as follows: Advocate, Helper, Benefactress and Mediatrix,Taken up to heaven she did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of (3) eternal salvation. Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of:

(1) Advocate,(2) Helper, (3) Benefactress, and (4) Mediatrix. (Cathechism of The Roman Catholic Church: The Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church, Page 252: (969)) [14]But according to the Scriptures who is the Helper? Who is the Advocate of the Church? John 14:26, “But the Comforter (Gk. parakletos, i.e., Advocate[15], Helper[16]) which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”The Helper, the Advocate or the Paraclete is not Mary, BUT the Holy Spirit!

Now let’s answer the question, is it proper and is it theologically valid to call Mary, as the Mother of God? The answer is no, because:Jesus is unique… they don’t match because there is no one like Jesus, having 2 distinct natures, being both God and man. We can’t talk about my body and my soul? I am one, one nature…they are 2 integral part of me, but in Jesus the two natures are distinct. He is God and man and Mary is mother of Jesus only as man to call her “Mother of God” is to go against this.—Anthony Pezzotta, ex-RCC rev. priest Conclusions:

The Roman Catholic dogmas regarding Mary--The Immaculate Conception and The Assumption are unbiblical on two counts:

(a) the concepts are not in the Scriptures (b) the concepts are against what is taught by the Scriptures and must be rejected by those who regard themselves as genuine Christians.

The two dogmas are late additions to the Christian Traditions set forth and admonished to be defended by the Apostles of Christ during the first century. The Roman Catholic titles conferred on Mary are far to excessive for one who believe that Christ Jesus is the only mediator between God and man. One of such titles is "Mary Mother of God" derivative of the Greek term theotokos. It is not only logically invalid, but it is also theologically invalid and as such, must be rejected by those who regard themselves as Bible believing and Christ-centered believers. Repetitive praying of whatever form to Mary is also unacceptable and must be rejected.

We should obey the law of God and his way ---- I really love Mother Mary… the Biblical Way

MARIOLOGY the truth about the mediatrix - part 2

2005-09-14T23:32:00.000-07:00

December 8, 1854, with this unbiblical expression as a base, a Roman Catholic Pope Pius IX, declared “infallibly” the unbiblical dogma of the Immaculate Conception [4], this dogma states that Mary was born without sin nature, like Jesus, she is unique as she didn’t sin throughout her life. She is unlike Adam, because she remained innocent all her life, in other words, they believe that she was ethically and morally perfect from the start of her existence and so much so that she was a perpetual virgin throughout her life. After all, they reasoned, if Mary is the mother of God, how could God have a mother who is a sinner? Since God is all-powerful, could he have not chosen a mother who is not a sinner? One who is not a victim of sin? Consequently since she was also a perpetual virgin, they thought, she never had other sons and daughters.

What is a dogma? A dogma is religious statement of ideas taught to be absolutely true.[5] Every Roman Catholic should believe in it otherwise they would be called heretics and can be excommunicated till they recant. And if they do not retract, they will go straight to hell. (At least that’s what they believe.)

In November 1, 1950, Pope Pius XII introduced another dogma as a consequence of the previous dogmas--they called it The Assumption of Mary into Heaven, body and soul[6]. They however, are divided regarding the details of Mary’s ascension into heaven. Was she dead when taken up? Was she taken up without dying? They don’t agree. What does the corporeal assumption of Mary into heaven means to the Roman Catholics? To them it does not mean she ascended into heaven like Christ Jesus nor was she taken into heaven by her own power, rather, at the end of her life on earth, she was taken by God into heaven. How do they prove it? They can’t. They just speculate that since her remains can’t be found and that since they believe she was sinless like Jesus, she must have been taken up by God corporeally.

Refuting the RomanistsThough they admit that there is no “direct or categorical and stringent proof of the dogma can be brought forward from Scripture”[7] they try to show that their unbiblical dogmas are true by appealing to the following passages from the passages in the Scriptures: Genesis 3:15, Luke 1:28, and Revelation 12:1.

Who was the woman of Genesis 3:15?
“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will strike at your head, while you strike at his heel.” (Genesis 3:15)Was it really Mary? To find out, let us read the passage in its proper context. In the following verse it says, “To the woman he said: ‘I will intensify the pangs of your childbearing; in pain shall you bring forth children. Yet your urge shall be for your husband, and he shall be your master.’ ” (Emphasis added, Genesis 3:16)

Did Mary bring forth children according to their dogmas? The Romanists say she didn’t but the Scripture prophesied that the woman shall bring forth children. Take note that we’re using the Roman Catholic translation of the Scripture. And it says that her urge shall be for her husband and the husband shall be her master. So, who was the woman referred to in this passage? The answer is Eve. The passage is also prophetic of Eve and the women after her. In verse 13 we read,

“The LORD God then asked the woman, ‘Why did you do such a thing?’ The woman answered, ‘The serpent tricked me into it, so I ate it.’ ” (Genesis 3:13)Who was the woman? It was the woman that the serpent has beguiled? The woman was Eve. The favored one in Luke 1:28
“And coming to her, he said, "Hail, favored one (Gk., kecharitoomenee)! The Lord is with you.” (Emphasis added.)Here they say that the Greek word kecharitoomenee, rendered here as “favored one,” “indicates a unique abundance of grace, a supernatural, godlike state of soul, which finds its explanation only in the Immaculate Conception of Mary.”[8] What godlike state of soul? Though they usually add a disclaimer that kecharitoomenee (often rendered as “full of grace”) serves only as an illustration, not as a proof of the dogma, it’s worth noting what they meant by it. To them being declared kecharitoomenee means, “from the first instant of her existence she was in the state of sanctifying grace and was free from the corrupt nature original sin brings.”
Is there an exception to the declaration of Paul to the Romans, “For ALL HAVE sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23, KJV)? Would Mary have called God as HER personal SAVIOR had she been free from sin from the first instant of her existence?
“My spirit rejoices in God MY SAVIOR.”—Mary (All caps added, Luke 1:47)What’s in the Greek word kecharitoomenee, that they give so much emphasis on it? Yes, they agree that it is the perfect passive participle of charitoo[10], Strong’s explained the Greek word as “to grace, i.e., indue with special honor.” How does one endowed with special honor or grace become automatically sinless from birth? To answer this they resort to an analogy of a man who fell into the pit, who got saved from it, and had never any stain.[11] But is physical stain the same as spiritual sin? Stain can be washed away with water but sin penetrates deep into the soul of man. Paul explained,

“Therefore, just as through one person sin entered the world, and through sin, death, and thus death came to all, inasmuch as all sinned.” (Emphasis added, Romans 5:12 ) “But scripture confined ALL THINGS UNDER the power of SIN, that through faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe.” (Emphasis added, Galatians 3:22)
Could we go against the Scripture that already declared, without ambiguity, that ALL THINGS are under sin? That all descendants of Adam have all sinned (with the exception of Jesus who is God incarnate who had no human father to get the sin nature from). According to the same Apostle, God can justify a believer--
“Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not record.” (Emphasis added, Romans 4:8)But that does not mean the believer did not sin from birth. Yes, this justification is only by the grace of God,
“For sin is not to have any power over you, since you are not under the law but under grace.” (Emphasis added, Romans 6:14)But it only means the believer was a sinner but by the grace of God the Lord justified him by through the sacrifice of his only begotten Son. They also reason that,

“Consider a child below the age of reason. By definition he can’t sin, since sinning requires the ability to reason and the ability to intend to sin.”[12]But did Mary remain a child? No she didn’t. She grew up gained the ability to reason and she sinned like all women before her, and like all humanity, she also needed a Savior (see Luke 1:47).
The woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars of Revelation 12:1. They say the Virgin Mary was the woman described in Revelation 12:1 because she had only one child (v.2) and the early state of her only boy child was there was already an attempt to kill him (v.4) and that child is no other than Jesus who was to be the ruler of all nations, and ascended to God and to his throne (v.5). But there are problems with this interpretation because Mary did not flee with Joseph in the wilderness or stayed there for 1,260 days to be fed. This number of days is also referred to as “a time, and times, and half a time” in Revelation 12:14 which is generally understood as three and a half years--“And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.” (Revelation 12:6)But the sun could be a symbol for Jacob, and the moon, either Leah or Rachel while the twelve stars, the twelve patriarchs. In other words, the woman more likely represents the Jews that will be persecuted during the Great Tribulation for three and a half years than Mary.
Matthew 4:18 referred to Peter as Andrew’s brother (Gk., adelfos) while Mark 3:17 and 5:37 refer to John as the brother (Gk., adelfos) of James, son of Zebedee. We understand that the Greek word adelfos could either be referring to a literal or a figurative brother therefore determining which of the two as the correct interpretation will be left on to how it is used in the sentence (i.e., context, Scriptural harmony and historical background). Thus we know that Simon Peter is literally the brother of Andrew because of the possessive pronoun, take these as examples: “Peter, and Andrew HIS brother” (Matthew 4:18; 10:2); “Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew HIS brother” (Luke 6:14). We also know that John is literally the brother of James because of the definite article, “John THE brother of James” (Mark 3:17; 5:37). The possessive pronoun and the definite article help us realize that the kin-relationship between John and James is exclusive as the kin-relationship between Peter and Andrew. What about Jesus, did he have a literal brother and sister?
“But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.” (Gk., adelfos, Galatians 1:19)As you can see, there is that definite article signifying the exclusive kin relationship between James and the Lord Jesus Christ. But does that make Jesus also the brother of John, the beloved?--Not if there were at least two James. Sure enough there were at least four—
(1) The son of Zebedee, brother of John (Mark 3:17; 5:37; Acts 1:13; 12:2); (2) Judas’ brother (Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13; Jude 1:1); (3) The son of Alphaeus whose brother is Judas (Acts 1:13; 1 Corinthians 15:7); and (4) One surnamed The Less who is a son of a woman named Mary who had a brother named Joses (Mark 15:40).
“Is not this the carpenter, THE SON OF Mary, THE BROTHER OF James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not HIS sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.” (Mark 6:3)In the above passage the definite article, “the,” helps ascertain the kin-relationship of the Carpenter’s son to James can be taken literally as we have taken the exclusive mother-son relationship between Mary and Jesus. But what about the other names mentioned there? Who were Joses, Juda and Simon? What about the sisters of the carpenter’s son? We shall deal with this more in another supplementary article on Mary’s supposed perpetual virginity.

MARIOLOGY the truth about the mediatrix - part1

2005-09-13T02:21:00.000-07:00

Before we begin we must state that Christianity gives due to honor and respect to Mary, the mother of Jesus for her submission to God, for her unique contribution to God’s way of salvation, and for the suffering she experienced as a mother regarding ministry of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, But the truth about her cannot be compromised. It is our purpose to expose the excesses of Latin Christianity with regards to the mother of Jesus.

Unbiblical Syllogism
Jesus is God right? Since Mary is the mother of Jesus? Isn’t it proper to call her, the Mother of God? This is the assertion of the Roman Catholics whenever they are questioned regarding their conferred title on Mary. Is this theologically valid? Is it proper to call Mary, the Mother of God? These are the questions that we will try to answer as we discuss the second unbiblical pillar of Romanism. Let us study the Romanist thought regarding the dual nature of Jesus Christ and Mary’s role in his incarnation:
Jesus Christ had two natures, the Divine nature and the human nature. Through the miraculous conception of Jesus in the womb of Mary, the eternal and immortal God (the Divine nature) took on a human nature in the womb of Mary…. To affirm this truth, the Council of Ephesus in 431 A.D. stated that Mary is truly the Mother of God because "according to the flesh" she gave birth to Jesus, who was truly God from the first moment of His conception. In this truth, "according to the flesh" is made clear that Mary is not the source of Jesus' divinity.[1]
If A is B and if B is C then A is C: If Mary is the mother of Jesus, and Jesus is God, does it follow that Mary is the mother of God? What kind of logic is this? Seriously thinking about it, if this syllogism is theologically sound, doesn’t it also follow that since Mary is the Mother of God, Mary is also God? Or, since God is Triune, doesn’t it follow that Mary is also the mother of the Holy Spirit, or, Mary, the mother of the Father? Of course they’re not saying that but do you see how inconsistent their position is on this matter? Even though Mary to them is not the source of Jesus’ Divinity, they’re still bent on calling her the Mother of God. Why call Mary God’s mother in the first place? How did it come about? And what are the theological consequences of this unbiblical expression?

Brief Historical Background
When heresies began to gain momentum in the time of the apostles, they refuted them in public and in writing. But after the apostolic era, the early Christians remained without total immunity against them. In AD 431 in an attempt to counter Arian heretics and defend the Deity of Jesus Christ, the Council of Ephesus (also called Third Ecumenical Council) invented the Greek expression, “theotokos,” in English it means, “God bearer.” This was a big ecclesiastical mistake because later on, “theotokos” would mean “Mother of God” especially to the Romanists. In fairness though, we believe in the sincerity of members of the Council of Ephesus, we understand that some of them were genuine Christians, and that their intention was not really to exalt Mary, but to exalt Jesus. Yet when people began to call Mary the mother of God we begin to see that the error was “corrected” by another error. Roman Catholic syllogism[2] on Mary’s relationship with Jesus:
Mary is the mother of Jesus, Jesus is truly God, Therefore, Mary is Mother of God.We can’t help but remember the pagan religions of the Romans and the Greeks when we hear such an expression, in their many mythologies, the Romans and the Greeks have lots of gods and each god had a mother. According to these mythologies the difficulty of obtaining a favor from a god can be solved by asking favors from their mothers. One fine example was Zeus. It was said that nobody had greater power than Zeus, except in some cases, Rhea, his mother.

CHRISTIANS AND BELIEF IN JESUS CHRIST - part 1

2005-09-10T21:48:00.000-07:00

The Bible tells us that everyone who believes in Jesus is a Christian. But what does belief in Jesus really mean?
Before concluding that someone is undoubtedly a Christian, we should at least determine which Jesus a person believes, and what type of belief he or she holds. Let’s expand on these two very crucial points.First, Christians must make sure that anyone professing to believe in Jesus is actually referring to the Jesus Christ of the Bible. The Apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 11:4, warns us about individuals who preach counterfeit Christs. Take for example the New Age Jesus who supposedly journeyed to the Far East, where he allegedly became a master of the occult. Then there’s the Jesus of Mormonism, who supposedly belongs to a gallery of gods and goddesses. And, of course, the Muslims believe in yet another Jesus, one who simply numbers among the many so-called prophets of Allah, the God of Islam. But of these and other assorted Christs, only the Christ of Scripture is recognized and accepted by true Christians. Let us, therefore, take care to find out which Jesus a person believes in before we pass any judgment.This leads me to point number two — that a person also needs to exercise the proper type of belief. For example someone who holds to an accurate view of who Jesus Christ really is, and what the Bible says about Him, still needs to do something with his or her belief, and not simply stand by on the sidelines. True Christian belief is demonstrated through action. It isn’t merely a passive
acceptance of a set of doctrines (cf. James 2:19), but an active and dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ, trusting Him as personal Lord and Savior (Rom. 10:9; Titus 2:13). Christians are sinners saved by grace; and until a person has developed a saving relationship with the Jesus of the Bible, he or she, unlike true Christians, still remains dead in sin. In summary then, true biblical belief involves not only knowledge and agreement, but also trust. To demonstrate that one truly believes, we must trust in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life.

THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD

2005-09-09T21:44:00.000-07:00

Life Magazine recently asked the provocative question: “WHO IS GOD?” Many answers have been given throughout the ages to reply to this question ... but the real answer comes from the Bible. We ought to ask ourselves what does the Bible have to say? Just who is the Christian God, and what is He like? The Bible reveals God to be the infinite, personal Being who is both creator and sustainer of the universe. By infinite, we mean that God has no limitations or boundaries, particularly when it comes to His divine attributes. So, in effect, God is understood to be everything man is not ... independent, eternal, immaterial, unchanging, all-powerful, all-knowing, and everywhere present throughout His creation. God’s perfection extends also to His inner character. As a personal Being, God is morally perfect. The Scriptures therefore describe God as being pure, righteous, just, holy, true, and loving. To some extent, God shares these attributes with mankind who is made in His image and likeness. This one God, who is the sovereign ruler of the universe, has further revealed Himself as three distinguishable persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The one true God is the triune God ... one in essence, but three in personality. As one theologian put it, “One What, and Three Who’s.” This awesome God, who is apart from the world, brings the world into existence out of nothing and keeps it together. He is therefore both the all-mighty creator and the sustainer of the universe.What is most difficult to fathom, however, is that this wonderful God wants to have a relationship with you and me. In fact, Jesus Christ gave His life to redeem us from the bondage of our sins. This righteous and holy God is also gracious and merciful. God (in Jesus Christ) has done for us what we could never do for ourselves. The all-powerful creator is also our personal Lord and Savior.

TRIALS HELPS US COMFORT OTHERS

2005-08-19T19:52:00.000-07:00

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. -2 corinthians 1:3-7

The apostle paul penned these word from personal experience. He had seen his share of suffering over the years, particularly for the sake of the gospel of Jesus. He was thrown into the prison on more than one occasion, but he continued to praise God and share his faith in Christ. He was shipwrecked, abondoned by former friends, pelted by stones, and left for dead. His faith, however, remained firm. Why? Because he learned to draw his comfort from the Lord. This then enable him to be a greater source of comfort to those around him. The next time someone ridicules or rejects you because of your commitment to Christ, remmeber Paul's words. You do not need to fear trials in your life. No motter how great a hardship you face, realize that Jesus will comfort and strengthen you. In turn, you will be better equipped to comfort those around you who suffer the same hardship.

CULTURAL REDEMPTION AND CONTEXTUALIZATION

2005-05-27T20:26:00.000-07:00

In our church we believe in the biblical concept of culture: That all true culture has God as its Prime Author and Sovereign Lord.We also believe that all culture, like everything else in the contemporary world, has been tainted with human sinfulness. Hence, all art, all music, all poetry, all science, all philosophy, and even all theology displays the disfiguring marks of sin to a greater or lesser extent.

We further believe that all creation (rational or irrational, animate or inanimate) groan and
eagerly await redemption. It therefore becomes the Christians calling and responsibility to
redeem for God humankind (through evangelism and witnessing) and his culture (through
research, filtration and consecration).
Lastly, we believe that all cultures can adequately serve as tools for godly worship and as
vehicles for the communication of the Gospel. All cultures, therefore, must be filtered,
consecrated, and offered back at the feet of Jesus Christ, to be used only for His glory.

For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one
who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and
brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

-Romans 8:20-22

To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one
under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.To
those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's
law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became
weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I
might save some

-1 Corinthians 9:20-23

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were
created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or
rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in
him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning
and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

- Colossians 1:15- 20

For from him and through him and to him are all things.To him be the glory forever!

Amen

- Romans 11:36

Genesis 1:28

Romans1:23

Philippians 4:8-9

Isaiah 64:6

One Greatest Promise

2005-05-24T16:25:00.000-07:00

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD,
-jeremiah 29:11-14

CONSECRATION

2005-05-16T23:00:00.000-07:00

There are many who profess to love God and his cause but are not dedicated to it.They go to church regularly. they read their bibles. they pray that the work of the Lord will be carried to all corners of the earth. They give love gift, tithes and offering on occassions they participates in the church services and call them selves "CHRISTIAN".

But are they actually willing to share, to give their best for Christ cause? on every hand there is need for an understanding of the importance of all-out consecration of the faculties God has given us.without this consecration. God cannot work in us and through us to accomplish his purpose in our lives on in the world

A Time for Everything

2005-04-25T02:16:00.000-07:00

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

Whatever is has already been,
and what will be has been before;
and God will call the past to account.
And I saw something else under the sun:
In the place of judgment-wickedness was there,
in the place of justice-wickedness was there.
I thought in my heart,
"God will bring to judgment
both the righteous and the wicked,
for there will be a time for every activity,
a time for every deed."
-ECC3

2005-04-22T20:39:00.000-07:00

Hello bloggers!!!...I am new to this....Obviously. hehehe

This is where I'll reveal all my innermost feelings (kung hindi sira ang tyan ko hehehe),much to the people (na may utang sa akin he he he he), things,event, music, arts and places I'm going to be talking about. So it's my diary that strangers read, and my friends. Yeah. hope SOMEONE reads this.

-God Bless People!!!