Religious Zealots please defend this

[geo25]

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The Church is as much a political body as a religious one. Here are Romans, supposedly enlightened, wanted their people to be enlightened, made RC the official religion of the empire. Think of it as how everyone needs to take Rizal in college since it's the law.

But the Empire was very big. They have pagan people in their lands, so off they went and did some c*ckblocking. They knew some of their people are doing the Saturnalia on December, so they did their own Christian thing at around the same time. Here's a neighbor, who isn't your friend, whose birthday falls on August 1st. You aren't invited, some of your friends/neighbors are going but you don't want them to. So you throw a more lavish party on the same date to give your friends options--though you really want them to pick your party over the other guy's. Every year you keep throwing the party, over time you guys became friends so the party merged. But it his still his birthday, he or his folks would celebrate it even if he's attending your party. He'd still be blowing candles on cupcakes at his own home and party with the gang at your place. And so we ended with a Christmas with both the Nativity and Christmas trees and hollies and some pagans doing pagan traditions outside the main party.

I'm not religious but trust me when I say that the original reason behind Christmas was never to trick people. When the Romans became Christians, as what they've learned, they felt they were obligated to lead their people to the right path. But, I'm not as powerful and convincing as those people you've listed.

[<SMILE>]

As long as the entry towards is not coercive through the barrel of the gun, I think it's fine.
What's important is how it makes you a better person among humanity as a whole and prepared enough to face the commitment adjunct with it when you join.
Faith is faith and if one believes life after death then I could say no religion could save you but it is totally dependent upon yourself. The bible could not even save you however articulate you are with it, only boost what you read and did not exactly digest and follow the divine good teachings.

[sandy2007]

naa ko question..

nag-unsa diay si Jesus Christ sa 40 days na iya gipundo sa disyerto? hanging lgi 2 xa..hehehehe

[Tetrad]

try this link miss http://www.ncregister.com/blog/jimmy-akin/9-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-mysterious-temptation-of-jesus

[libido]

@slabs17 - na buhi nasad ang Dec. 25 birth of Christ....

[luff101]

For me it doesnt matter if Christ is born on December 25 or not. It's the month where we can get our 13th month pay.. hehehe

As Jose Mari Chan song said,

The true spirit of Christmas is truly in our hearts.

[Lamusika]

For as long as , Teachings ky about Christ then there's no reason to question at all . there are some instances nga we don't have to question at all for as long as it abides the rule even lahi2 ug interpretation and most of all not against God.

[BetterPhilippines2015]

The advent of technology slowly filters out lies and truth. Some religious views nowadays are based on what they hear/see(their effort) not from someone's mouth. We aren't in mediaval age anymore where information are for the privilege few.

Times' change. Informations are infinite and people can access it anytime he wants. There is a gradual decline in theism because younger generations nowadays has more time in social media than hearing/reading priests/holy book.

[Tetrad]

The advent of technology slowly filters out lies and truth. Some religious views nowadays are based on what they hear/see(their effort) not from someone's mouth. We aren't in mediaval age anymore where information are for the privilege few.

Times' change. Informations are infinite and people can access it anytime he wants. There is a gradual decline in theism because younger generations nowadays has more time in social media than hearing/reading priests/holy book.

thats an absolute ignorance of the truth migo. God's word still remains as effective as before, nothings change. Only men has drawn himself away from God!

try to check on these verses.

TWENTY-FIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF PEOPLE IN THE LAST DAYS

Men will be lovers of their own selves – 2 Timothy 3:2
Men will be covetous – 2 Timothy 3:2
Mean will be boasters – 2 Timothy 3:2
Men will be proud – 2 Timothy 3:2
Men will be blasphemers – 2 Timothy 3:2
Men will be disobedient to their parents – 2 Timothy 3:2
Men will be unthankful – 2 Timothy 3:2
Men will be unholy – 2 Timothy 3:2
Men will be without natural affections – 2 Timothy 3:3
Men will be trucebreakers – 2 Timothy 3:3
Men will be false accusers – 2 Timothy 3:3
Men will be without self-control – 2 Timothy 3:3
Men will be brutal – 2 Timothy 3:3
Men will be despisers of those who do good – 2 Timothy 3:3
Men will be traitors – 2 Timothy 3:4
Men will be headstrong – 2 Timothy 3:4
Men will be high-minded, haughty – 2 Timothy 3:4
Men will be lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God – 2 Timothy 3:4
Men will have a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof – 2 Timothy 3:5
Men will be captors of gullible women loaded down with sin, led away by various lusts – 2 Timothy 3:6
Men will be always learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth – 2 Timothy 3:7
Men will resist the truth – 2 Timothy 3:8
Men will be of corrupt minds – 2 Timothy 3:8
Men will be good-for-nothing concerning the faith – 2 Timothy 3:8
Men shall not progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all – 2 Timothy 3:9

[rics zalved]

agi lang ko kay morepost lang ko, girevise nako ang previous nako nga post ani, salamat

share lang sa ta ug gospel (kaysa mag away2x) for the visitors here and to the future visitors in this thread...

THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

I ) GOD LOVES US AND WANTS US TO HAVE A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM

God loves us even if we haven’t loved him

“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us.” (1 John 4:10)

God made us and all creation for him

“For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.”(Colossians 1:16)

God gives us the ability to know him (God made us in his image that is why we have the ability to think and has free will just like God that sets us apart from other living things(plants/animals) in which we have the ability to know Him)

"So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." (Genesis 1:27)

God wants us to know him (God is more concerned on how you love Him back, so He chose not to reveal much because through faith you can love Him much not by pressure. He reveals that He exists through the Nature (the complexity of the universe that only an intelligent designer can make) and Human Conscience (that is why we have morality because He wrote the moral laws already in our hearts like “you should not kill” even if there is no human law implemented)).

“So that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.”
(Acts 17:27)

“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” (Romans 1:20)

"They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them" (Romans 2:15)


II ) OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD HAS BEEN BROKEN BY SIN

We have all made choices showing we are inclined to be:
Passively indifferent to God

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6)

Or actively opposed to God

“And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.” (John 3:19-20)

The result of our choices to resist or ignore God or in bondage of sin results in spiritual death (separation from God which results to going to hell).

“We are dead in trespasses and sins.” (Ephesians 2:1)

“And thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.” (Romans 5:12)

“ But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Revelations 20:1

God hates sin because he is holy and will judge our deeds

“for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy. If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth””
(1 Peter 1:16-17)


III ) GOD HAD PROVIDED A SOLUTION FOR OUR LOST RELATIONSHIP

Jesus Christ came to do what we could not do for ourselves. – having an eternal life with God

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

He came into the world to bring us to his Father and reconciled with Him
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’ ” (John 14:6)

“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

He died in our place to pay the penalty for our sin. (He made us justified, we no longer pay for our punishment - HELL)

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit.” (1 Peter 3:1

“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24)

His resurrection proves that He is God, thus our salvation is valid, for if he is not a God, we will not be justified because only with a pure and unblemished (sinless) sacrifice like Jesus can forgive our sins.

“regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake.”
(Romans 1:3-5)

”For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”
(1 Peter 1:18-19)


IV ) WE MUST EACH PERSONALLY TRUST JESUS CHRIST AS OUR LORD AND SAVIOR TO RESTORE THE LOST RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

Our own efforts to earn God’s acceptance are inadequate. (We cannot pay our salvation by how many good works you have done, by making rituals and ceremonies, and even by what religion do you belong, etc.)

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us" (Titus 3:5)

We must admit that we are sinners and needs forgiveness (When sin came because of Adam and Eve , humanity has tainted with sin and the whole world starts to become in a fallen, decaying, and detoriorating state)

“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12)

“that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay” (Romans 8:23)

We must receive Jesus and his offer of salvation as a gift (gift can either be refused or accepted, or sometimes accepted forcefully, so we must accept heartily the gift that only by faith alone , by God’s grace alone, in Jesus Christ alone are we saved, not by other means. Before Jesus came, Old Testament people must sacrifice animals like a lamb that is unblemished, unspotted, and without defect to be forgiven everytime they sin so that God will forgive them and that makes it only temporary because it only covers the sin, but when Jesus came, He fulfilled and replaced the animal sacrifices as He sacrificed himself in the cross being the lamb of God for us to have a permanent sacrifice through Jesus in order to be accepted by God. Grace is an undeserved favor by God to us but because He loves us, He still made that favor). Part of accepting Him is turning away from sin and instead follow Him or REPENTANCE

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” (John 1:12)

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
(Romans 6:23)

QUESTION: DO YOU ACCEPT AND TRUST JESUS NOW AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR WITH ALL YOUR HEART?

If so, pray something like this:

“Dear God, I know that my sin has separated me from You. Thank You for sending Your Son to die in my place. I now I now repent on my sins and trust Jesus to forgive my sins. I invite Him into my life as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for receiving me into your eternal family. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. “


V ) YOUR TRUST IN JESUS CHRIST BEGINS A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD (A RELATIONSHIP IS LIKE A MARRIAGE COVENANT WHERE YOU HAVE VOWS AND COMMITMENT TO EACH OTHER).

A ) GOD’S COMMITMENT TO YOU:

God assures you that if you have trusted Jesus as your Savior, He has given you eternal life.

“These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.” (1 John 5:13)

God has forgiven all of your sins, past, present, and future, you are not now condemned, but still confess if you made a mistake or when God disciplines you

“And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.” (Colossians 2:13-14)

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1)

“Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.” (Hebrews 12:7-

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

God promises to never leave you and thinks only on your best interest in all circumstances

” I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:2

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a]neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” (1 Peter 4:12-13)

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”(2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

God has given you His Spirit to enable you to live in a way that pleases Him. (The Holy Spirit regenerates the believer to become Christlike (regeneration is a spiritual rebirth where sinful lifestyle puts to death and righteous lifestyle is born), to walk on God’s will to us which is to become holy or being set apart or sanctification)

“ And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:13-14)

“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25)

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.” (Titus 3:5)

You will experience resurrection and glorification, and be part on the new heaven and earth on Jesus’ second coming, and will receive rewards on how far you grow in your faith in the earth (All those who accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior will be resurrected and be given an immortal body which is free now from sin(sinless) and death and be with God for eternity in their new bodies when Jesus finally returns, those who did not accept Him will also be given with an immortal body but spends their eternity in lake of fire or hell)

“in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
(1 Corinthians 15:52-54)

“ For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” (Romans 8:29-30)

“And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever” (Revelations 20:10)

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain;the first things have passed away.”
(Revelations 21:1-4)

So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or bad.
(2 Corinthians 5:9-10)


B ) YOUR COMMITMENT/EXPECTATIONS:

You are now a new creation/changed life (the best indicator if you truly accepted Jesus, you are now growing to become like Christ because you are now set apart by God and being sanctified – not being sinless but sinning less and less and it is the result of the regeneration of the Holy Spirit. God wants to let Him mold you for His purpose on you)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

“For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means ! (Romans 6:14-15)

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

“If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:6-7)

“ Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” (2 Corinthians 13:5)

Do good works (result of salvation, not a requirement of salvation. TRUE AND SAVING FAITH produces works. God saves us for us to do good things for others)

“ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” (James 2:26)

“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.” ( 2 Peter 1:5-7)

Praying to God regularly and worship him (this is how we communicate with God, having a personal and quiet time with Him, rejoice with Him , and where you can unload your problems, requests, share your plans to Him, etc. You can question to God and He will reveal to you the purpose on your circumstances and your questions for your peace.)

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus “ (Philippians 4:6-7)

“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.” (1 John 5:14-15)

Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, (Hebrews 12:2

Read the Bible regularly (this is how God communicates with us, and also to learn more about Him, this is where you will know God’s will for you, how to live a godly life and follow Jesus, how to relate to others, etc. even hard questions in life why there are evil sufferings, why was God so cruel before, etc. were answered, and you will also discover the unity and infallibility of Bible (having no error scientifically, historically, and logically) that made this book so amazing that you will not doubt it came from God. It is also used for teaching others and correcting them. This book is so complete as guidance for our spiritual journey)

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me,” (John 5:39)

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,”
(2 Timothy 3:16)

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” (Joshua 1:

Join in a small group and also in a bigger group of believers, or what we call simply as a church (we are made in the image of God that is why we need to have a fellowship just like his three persons in Trinity that has fellowship with each other. It helps for your spiritual growth and to know God more. You pray, encourage, and support for each other and also pray, worship, and learn about God together. This is also where you can be involved in the 2 ordinances in the Bible – Water Baptism (public declaration that you are now a Christian and accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior) and Lord's Supper/Breaking of Bread(remembrance of Jesus’ death and sacrifice for us until his future return.))

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. “(Hebrews 10:24-25)

"Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." (Acts 2:41-47)

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20)

Serve God in his Body which is the church (God wants us to be partners in maintaining his Body, the church, using the spiritual gifts He has given to you, we need to pray to God to discover our spiritual gifts.)

“so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” (Romans 12:5-

Share about God to others and make disciples (God wants us to be partners in reaching unbelievers by sharing them about Jesus and his offer of salvation as a gift and pray that by the touch of the Holy Spirit hopefully they will accept Him. God wants to partner with us by forming also a small group of believers to help them grow in their spiritual journey, discover their spiritual gifts, and to mentor them how to follow Jesus, and train them to form their small groups also and so on to multiply yourselves as followers of Jesus, just as how Jesus form his disciples and instructed them to make disciples also and so on until the He returns/very end of age and He will always be with them and us.)

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”” (Romans 10:14-15)

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

“ And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” (2 Timothy 2:2)

The sum of all of your commitment is to do anything for the Glory of God and working out our salvation (work out , not work for because we cannot work for our salvation, because it is a gift of God, salvation is already there, you just have enhance it). And most importantly is it is out of our gratitude on what God has done for us not by obligation and requirement of God, but it is out of our love to God because we have an intimate relationship with Him.

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. “ (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,
(Philippians 2:12)


C) THE ULTIMATE GOAL FOR BOTH GOD AND A PERSON TO COME INTO AN RELATIONSHIP IS TO BECOME FRIENDS, PARTNERS, AND INTIMATE TO EACH OTHER THROUGHOUT ETERNITY

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me” (Revelations 3:20)