General This makes me wonder

[Outcast]

I read in Romans 10:13-21: For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for “Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” But I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, “I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; with a foolish nation I will make you angry.” Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, “I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.” But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”

With the end of the apostles, and nobody sent to replace them, still the message of the gospel must be given. How is that message given if nobody is sent?
I can wish all day long that I knew personally those who were persecuted, tortured, or killed for being a people "of the way." I think there is little comparison between the strength of faith between them and the people who claim to be "of the way" now. Those who profess saving faith now hire someone to present the gospel. My personal thoughts about this message of the gospel is a false one. All that can happen from someone hearing about a Son of God and the things He said is to generate interest enough to search. Finding the true message is difficult if people are hoping to get it from churches. The message from them is doctrines rather that truth.

I can testify that I know that those who will try to lead people to examine scripture and find reason to ask God for truth will be shut down. I'll go out on a limb and say that this is likely the result of every church where the message bearer is paid to do so and inclined to deliver the message that they are paid to deliver.

However, if a true message is to be received, then we know how it arrives:

Jn 6:44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

Jn 14:6: Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Thoughts?

 

[LeeB]

How is the message given today if no one is sent ?
John 14:26 1 Peter 1:12KJV Galatians 4:6
The Elijah to come, the Holy Spirit of the FATHER.

 

[LeeB]

How is the message given today if no one is sent ?
John 14:26 1 Peter 1:12KJV Galatians 4:6
The Elijah to come, the Holy Spirit of the FATHER.

Also, the Apostles are still preaching the gospel today, John 17:20 Even though dead the speak.

 

[Outcast]

Also, the Apostles are still preaching the gospel today, John 17:20 Even though dead the speak.

Thanks for your replies, LeeB!

 

[LeeB]

This fact that Outcast has written about the Apostles and others who wrote about the gospel should prove that all of today’s ministers and churches have no obligation to take the gospel to the world. Jesus said in John 17:20 “those who will believe in me through THEIR message” not from uninspired preachers, pastors and ministers. When I read the words from the original writers, taking into account alterations made by Satanically Inspired men, I am getting the information straight from these men and the ears to hear their message from the Holy Spirit of GOD. The Holy Spirit of the FATHER is what teaches us all things that Jesus said, John 14:26 Everyone that has ever learned anything from the FATHER must come to Christ and by the power of the anointing of the Holy Spirit of the FATHER has no need that any man, preacher, pastor or minister teach them 1 John 2:27 John 16:13 Hebrews 8:10,11 1 Corinthians 2:10 As Outcast says give up on men and go to Christ and perhaps GOD will receive you to HIMSELF. We Cannot go to the FATHER except through Christ and we cannot even come to Christ unless the FATHER draws us. So then, what role do fake preachers have in this, nothing.

 

[Outcast]

I think it is safe to say that there are well-intentioned people believing that they know the scriptures. They, like me, have diplomas from man-made institutions claiming they they have been taught. So many see these papers as proof of superior knowledge of scripture. They are not. They are man-made and not of God.

For many of us, we are still seen as "teachers" because our conversations are seen to expose truth to those who were unaware. One huge issue, for me at least, is how we state our views. The term sometimes used is "bible thumpers." We act and speak without modesty or meekness - as those having authority to speak for God. Human nature might be the drive that some have to enter into ministry - as authoritarians - rather than out of love for fellow humans.

Though I know a truth that God has given me, to put it out as if I have authority to teach from God; it is a problem if I act like a "bible thumper." Since I know that such behavior drives people away instead of letting God draw them near to consider the scriptures. I participate in conversations and not give lectures. It is appropriate that God gives the conviction of truth and not I. That is part and parcel of community conversation..

We really should examine ourselves to discover what causes us to speak the things of Yahweh. I give my view of the following scripture passage so that it is not a mystery the view that I hold. By the way, I gave much of this in a sermon I once gave, so even then; God was giving me words that I had to accept for myself. There was much that I did not yet understand but spoke as if I did. MEA CULPA.

Jas 3:1–17 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.

How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue.

It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

What I am presenting here is that I have reached the conclusion that it was my Father's will that I be cast out of ministry. I hold no anger for those who rejected me because I did not hold as true their false beliefs. I think that I was experiencing God's grace when I became free of false teachings.