Tag: Bible Studies (Page 2 of 2)

Once Saved, Always Saved?

June 1, 2016 / cristolaverdad

Some Christians believe that once you are saved you will always remain saved, and that no matter what you do after that, including sinning, your salvation is still secured. Some others will add that if you sin willingly, then it is because you were never saved in the first place; even after 20 or more years of walking faithfully with God, if you fall, it means you were never really saved.

We’ll try to explain our position on this subject. We are not attacking people who believe differently, we are not questioning their salvation or attacking their character. We believe this is a very important doctrine, but we also think it is still not an issue to divide over if the person has the Foundational Doctrines right, unless ‘Once Saved, Always Saved’ is used as a license to sin. Sound Doctrine is very important because what we believe is going to affect our actions & way of living.

Does God harden hearts? Pt.1

May 19, 2016 / cristolaverdad

This entry is part 3 of 4 in the series Importance of The Heart

God places on us the responsibility to guard our hearts from hardening. Deut. 15:7, Prov.4:23, Prov. 28: 14 We are warned NOT to harden our hearts.

So what about the passages where God hardens peoples hearts? The main confusion people encounter in this regard has to do with Calvinist’s teachings that say passages which speak of God hardening human hearts prove God’s selective election & determinism from the foundation of the world. That God hardens the hearts of people not elected for heaven so they won’t receive salvation.

But God is not saying one thing and doing another. God is Just! Deut. 32:4, Jeremiah 17:10, Job 34:12 , etc.

Spiritual vs. Carnal

January 1, 2016 / cristolaverdad

“And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. . . .For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying (G2205 = Jealousy), and strife (G2054= contentions ), and divisions (G1370= dissension, division, sedition ), are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? . . . Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; and ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s. 1 Corinthians. 3:1-23

This bible verse is often misinterpreted. When reading it, at simple view, it may seem to some that Paul is saying division among Christian denominations is carnal. Some go as far as to accuse their brethren of being carnal just because they expose false doctrines or false teachers, not realizing they are the ones acting in a carnal way. Others even say that Peter (Cephas) is the founder of the Catholic church & for that reason we should accept this denomination as part of the body, otherwise it would mean we are carnal or divisive.

Psalm 23

December 15, 2015 / cristolaverdad

This entry is part 1 of 11 in the series Psalms

We are going to use the same 4 steps mentioned previously, to study PSALM 23:

1/ Setting the context: (abc’s)

A) – Author — The Holy Spirit inspired King David to write this psalm.

B) – Background — When did the author live? In what culture? Born in 907 BC, he reigned as king of Israel for 40 years, dying at age 70 in 837 BC. He was a farm boy, a shepherd & a musician, then became a warrior & a king. David had a heart for the Lord.

C) – Context — Book of Psalm, Chapter 23:1-6 The Christian sees in this Psalm a wonderful foreshadowing of “The Good Shepherd” Jesus Christ, (John 10) who gave His life for His sheep & watches over them even now.

For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today if ye will hear his voice, do not harden your heart” Psalm 95:7-8

Basic steps to Bible Study

December 4, 2015 / cristolaverdad

This entry is part 1 of 5 in the series Bible Study

John 17:17 “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

Luke 11:28 “But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.”

Not all Bible versions are the same and the version we choose is critical for sound doctrine. When studying the Scriptures is always good to compare the version we are reading with other good translation, that will give us more understanding on some words, or you can also use a bible dictionary.

Misuse of Hebrews 13:17

November 10, 2015 / cristolaverdad

This entry is part 2 of 5 in the series Misuse of Bible verses

A proper understanding of the real meaning of spiritual authority is greatly needed. We in these posts make no attempt to deal exhaustively with this topic, but we just look to give some examples. At the end of the post we mention some good readings on the subject for those that need more information.

When we became Christians many years ago and started this blog (in Spanish), a Catholic priest wrote requesting from us the gift of silence or as he said: an ‘obsequious silence’ to the mistakes of the leaders of the Catholic Church, according to him the only true church etc . This misunderstanding of spiritual authority (looking to serve man or organization rather than God) is the reason many keep silence & tolerate spiritual abuse in this large denomination, as well in many others.

Rebuke Not An Elder

October 14, 2015 / cristolaverdad

This entry is part 1 of 5 in the series Misuse of Bible verses

After finding some information regarding a well known international ministry, and their wrong views on spiritual authority, I decided to make this post. These problems show us how important sound doctrine is and how much harm wrong doctrines do to the body of Christ.

But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: (#G1249- Servant) And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Mark 10

There are many bible verses that have been misinterpreted or twisted by some institutions, using them wrongly to exercise lordship over God’s people, & keep them in bondage. The Word of God says in 1 Timothy 5: 1-2

The Doctrine of Jezebel

July 5, 2015 / cristolaverdad

There is so much confusion today regarding what the doctrine of Jezebel really is but let us take heed of Jesus’ words and warnings regarding this danger that is very present in our churches in this time of apostasy.

“Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest (permit) that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols“ (Rev. 2:20).

The importance of the Heart, Pt.1

May 10, 2015 / cristolaverdad

This entry is part 1 of 4 in the series Importance of The Heart

The key focus of the ‘Parable Of The Sower’ is the soil, and in this parable the soil represents the heart. For that same reason I also like to call it The Parable of the Hearts. By reading this parable, we can learn the importance of the heart and how the condition of our heart determines our response to the Word of God & our relationship with Him.

There is also something very important about this parable that will help us understand or discern other parables,, because Jesus said concerning this to His disciples:
‘Know (Strong’s # G1492 = To see, perceive, discern, understand) ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? (Mark 4:13)

Lets use the 3 gospels where the Parable of the Sower is found, Matthew 13:1-23; Mark 4:1-20; Luke8:4-18. I divided the verses in 4 sections in order to study them better:

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