Forgiveness of all sins, the sacred process of salvation, and whether all go to heaven are topics, today. Also, there is more on women ordained to minister. The “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Chase” (Level 1 with zero points, a member since July 5, 2012) posted the following:
If all sins are forgiven, does everyone go to Heaven?
Jesus died for everyone, for ALL their sins to be forgiven. Does that mean we all go to heaven? Since everyone is cleansed of their sin.
THE BATTLE AXE: Women Ordained to Minister? (10/27/2012)—In the Old Testament, Huldah the prophetess lived in the second quarter of Jerusalem, and did not have ongoing access to either the king’s palace or the Temple located within Zion. New Testament models of consecrated service include the examples of the prophet Simeon, and the prophetess Anna. In devotion to GOD, Anna never left holy ground by leaving the Temple, and lived as a widow in continual fasting, prayer, and proclaiming testimony from GOD. Simeon was not a priest or Levite, yet, he also was sanctified, and continued as a constant presence among those of the Temple community. As with prophets, virgins and widows of the Mosaic covenant, their separation followed a spiritual event that served as their being “called”, and was confirmed by the fulfillment of foretold events that were to occur as signs. Many, today, disregard and ignore the requirement of being spiritually called and then affirmed through signs. Ministry is held to be a professional occupation, or a vocation (hobby), and one is qualified through academic examination, employment history, licensing, and self-selection. The social overlay upon the spiritual process of the church demands a high level of genuine discernment by all who seek to share in congregation. Ambition and desire for status are not generated or produced by the Holy Spirit. Where believers continue to need acknowledgment and praise from family, from peers, from others, or even from GOD, this contends against the assurances of faith. The pair, Aquila and Priscilla, who traveled with the Apostle Paul and sponsored a church within their home, served with no greater title and office than “helpers in Christ Jesus.” Given that the commission of those who serve may be known only to GOD (and through GOD by discernment of the Holy Spirit) believers are often denied by those having the celebrity of institutional identity. Several women are noted in the Scripture who supported the ministry of Jesus by their own ministry of giving. Apart from self-employed women (usually harlots), those having small businesses, and widows, there were relatively few independent women having financial means, and who managed property and large households. The New Testament contrast of Mary and Martha portrays the difference between passive and active service, intimate and impersonal relationship. Admonitions appear against “ever learning and never coming into the knowledge of the truth;” and believers are cautioned that “faith without works is dead.” As a result many women are now actively serving as evangelists, fundraisers, mothers over the church, school teachers, and “godmothers” who conduct new believers through preparation for baptism or confirmation. It remains that, exclusive and single-minded commitment of their lives to Christ appears most completely and correctly achieved today only by those women that serve as nuns. The threefold challenge to overcome the various aspects of the flesh, the material world, and the social milieu make it that every woman must prayerfully examine the divine dispensations of marriage, homemaking, and the promise written in Scripture that a woman shall be saved through childbearing.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. (1st John 3: 4-11, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Gospel not Logical? (09/16/2012); Unwelcome Gifts? (09/17/2012); Chances for Change (09/15/2012); What He Died For (09/14/2012); Father Forgive (09/06/2012); Binder 35: Whom The Lord Loveth (11/01/2011); Forgiveness? (12/07/2010)
Here are some answers shared among mature Christian believers:
Forgiveness is only one aspect of the full work in the sacred process of salvation. A sinner seeking recovery to GOD must cooperate with, and yield to operations by the Holy Spirit (also called the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Prophecy, the Spirit of Truth). In addition to forgiveness there must be atonement, propitiation for sin, repentance, rebirth, regeneration and sanctification. Profound and involuntary change must occur in the life that goes beyond attitude, behavior, conduct and speech. Saying this another way: Once you are “born again” you must “grow up again;” encountering the “growing pains” of spiritual transformation while still in a material, nonspiritual and social world.
New knowledge, information and understanding are important for making clear to others the changes they see occurring in the life of a believer. However, arguing, debate, logic and intellectual reasoning are not the actual substance that is to be shared with others. The believer demonstrates and displays to others a sacred content they otherwise would never be allowed to access or see. Included are faithfulness, godliness, holiness, humility, longsuffering, purpose, wisdom, and wrath against sin.
Forgiveness does not remove defilement of body, mind, spirit and human will within created beings and living creatures. The corruption of divine substance must be halted and reversed. Forgiveness alone does not correct what and who a person has become through the influence of sin. The benefit of forgiveness appears as a counterweight provided in evaluation and judgment against sinful deeds as well as in the continuance of ones correct standing and position within relationship.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, just as the Scriptures describe both a first and second death, a first and second resurrection, there are a first and second judgment. The first judgment focuses upon ones sacred content, and is followed by destruction in the lake of fire of all those lacking the substance of GOD. The second judgment examines the deeds of all those from the earth who will then be immortal and incorruptible.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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