Today, points are shared on believing the Bible literally, and Christ dying upon the cross as a substitute for his followers. The full value of the Scriptures centers in their completeness as a true record of divine operations in heaven and upon earth that pertain to the continuing existence of mankind. Reading the Bible from cover to cover is not mandatory, for merely possessing sacred knowledge (as did the angels that fell) is not enough to establish salvation. In the same way, finite human tools such as intellect, logic, philosophy, science and technology can not eliminate and remove sin, neither does awareness about the death of Jesus at Calvary. Even so, through the Savior, born again believers have new access to divinity, and gifts from GOD that permit his followers to discern the spirit content of events, other persons, lessons and messages as well as to more correctly recognize and resist sin. Believers are commanded to expect (we say, hope) and prepare for the coming of Jesus to harvest from the earth those who are ripe, and fit to be eternal companions of divinity. Those living upon the earth must complete mortality (i.e., die), or be taken up alive by divinity. The death of Jesus on the cross did not end having to complete mortality, however, it allows those chosen and elect to escape what is called the second death. Because the living are welcomed through divine grace as children who are immature, simple, and underdeveloped, they receive this benefit on the basis of their faith, obedience to divine will, spirit substance and trust, rather than their belief, desire, knowledge, or finite human wisdom. Readers are encouraged to consider the following, and the presentation below:
John 3: 11-15, King James Version (KJV): 11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? 13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
2nd Timothy 3: 16-17, KJV: 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
John 5: 39, KJV: 39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
Acts 17: 10-12, KJV: 10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
A writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Douglas” (Level 1 with 82 points, a member since March 01, 2016) posted the following:
Do we have to believe in the Bible literally to be Christian.?
I really want to be Christian and want to follow Christ but I just don't believe in the Bible literally. Can I still be Christian?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. (John 11: 21-27, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Cross Must Occur? (02/23/2016); Belief In Another World? (02/17/2016); Not Through Human Will? (01/29/2016); By More Than Believing (12/04/2015); A GOD of Judgment (12/01/2015); Christ Coming Soon? (10/16/2015); How Can Christians Believe? (08/12/2014); The Sin of Pride? (08/13/2014)
“Douglas”, we have to believe in the Bible “spiritually” (i.e., applying the fullest measure of our own spirit content that has come from GOD). Among the many sacred truths followers of Jesus Christ are challenged to accept and apply, one of the most necessary is the death of Jesus upon the cross as a substitute for those acknowledging him as redeemer and savior. Many mature Christian believers are trusting that, despite time and space, through operations of the Holy Spirit, blood and truth from the cross are flowing to here and now. The Son of GOD—an aspect of full divine person (we say, divinity; the GODhead)—has appeared upon the earth in flesh (we say, Incarnate), and completed mortality. His virgin birth, ministry, and service to both GOD and mankind convey spiritual value that permits application of his blood for atonement of sin. Men do not demand atonement, however, divine law, sacred process, and eternal purposes do. There is more than forgiveness involved; for example, there also must be baptism (i.e., death of ones inborn spirit, rebirth having spirit content from the makeup of GOD), confession, purification, remission, repentance, and sanctification. The events of the cross are most easily understood once the broad base of knowledge contained within the holy writings have been studied in a prayerful and structured manner. The Bible records the revelation of Deity (GOD becoming knowable and known) to created beings and living creatures by using thousands of lives, in thousands of situations, over the course of thousands of years. Consider again how these points have been stated in the Scriptures:
(1.) Isaiah 55: 7-11, King James Version (KJV): 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
(2.) Luke 24: 25-27, KJV: 25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
(3.) 1st Corinthians 15: 21-23, KJV: 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
There is far more to be said, understood, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) John 4: 23-24, KJV: 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Washington, DC
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