Expert: Brenda Martin - 11/17/2011

Question
QUESTION: Did you know the bible says there is only ONE true religion?

Brenda  
You made this statement to a young questioner and yet you didn't state what that One True Religion was. Would you mind declaring what that religion would be?

thanks
Bar

ANSWER: The Bible does not agree with the modern view that there are many acceptable ways to worship God. Ephesians 4:5 says there is “one Lord, one faith.” Jesus stated: “Narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it. . . . Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will.”—Matt. 7:13, 14, 21; see also 1 Corinthians 1:10.

Repeatedly the Scriptures refer to the body of true Christian teachings as “the truth,” and Christianity is spoken of as “the way of the truth.” (1 Tim. 3:15; 2 John 1; 2 Pet. 2:2) Because Jehovah’s Witnesses base all of their beliefs, their standards for conduct, and organizational procedures on the Bible, their faith in the Bible itself as God’s Word gives them the conviction that what they have is indeed the truth. So their position is not egotistical but demonstrates their confidence that the Bible is the right standard against which to measure one’s religion. They are not self-centered but are eager to share their beliefs with others.

If you would like to know more I am happy to answer any further questions.

all the best
Brenda

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: But doesn't the bible say, " they that are led of the Spirit of God, are the true sons (and daughters) of God!"??? Rom_8:14  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Joh_6:63  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

One may follow the scriptures in a literal sense, but the Word of God is spiritual in intent. One may not murder another, but Jesus said if you hate your brother you have committed murder. Or one may not commit adultery literally, or coveting, but Jesus said, if one does so in their heart, they have done so.

Even the Law that was given to Moses, was never accomplished literally, and even if it was, it profited nothing, for the Law was Spiritual in intent, as Jesus and Paul pointed out.  Rom_7:14  For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

Secondly, one is not a sinner because of what they  do, or don't do, but they pronounced guilty because of what they ARE by natural birth.

The new birth takes care of not only the sin, but the sinner. For it was the sinner who died with Christ, was buried with Him, and arose a new creation. Born of the Father, same as Jesus. Making those born of the Father all brothers and sisters in Christ.

Thirdly, true Christianity is not a religion, but a living relationship, and fellowship with the Spirit of the Living Christ!

If one were to boast that they are keeping all the laws, commandments, precepts, in the Word, they may have something to boast about, but not before Him. He has provided a way of living where He gets the glory, because it is Him living His life through the believer.

Just as jesus said, " It is the father IN ME, who doeth the works!" Jesus taught us how to follow, and obey the leading of the Spirit of God, that is to have His habitation in these temples of flesh, that are sanctified, through the death of the old man, unto that new  man, being made in the image of Jesus Christ..

Reflections of the Truth?

ANSWER: ROM_8:14

At the time this was written it was true that all who were led by God’s spirit were God’s sons whose hope was that they would be glorified with Christ. But this had not always been true. Luke 1:15 says that John the Baptizer would be filled with holy spirit, but Matthew 11:11 makes clear that he will not share in the glory of the heavenly Kingdom. So, too, after the gathering of the heirs of the heavenly Kingdom, there would be others who would serve God as followers of his Son and yet not share in heavenly glory.

Jesus revealed to the apostle John the number of persons who would be corulers with him over the earth—144,000. (Revelation 7:4; 14:1-3) Then he went on to show John that these favoured disciples “will be priests of God and of the Christ, and will rule as kings with him for the thousand years.”—Revelation 20:6.

Jw’s are composed of 2 sets of people, a small number are a part of these 144,000 , but the majority are like john the Baptist, they have an earthly hope.

JOH_6:63  

Jesus said to those who tried to put a human interpretation on his words: “It is the spirit that is life-giving; the flesh is of no use at all.” The sum total of human experience and wisdom, all its writings, philosophies and teachings, cannot be relied on for life. They are “of no use at all” as a means to gain eternal life. (John 6:63) So, J.W’s don’t spend hours delving into such writings, which give one, at best, not godly, but human, fleshly viewpoints and fashion one like the world, instead we study God’s word that was inspired by his SPIRIT. The apostle Paul told Timothy: “All Scripture is inspired of God . . . I solemnly charge you . . . preach the word.”—2 Tim. 3:16–4:2; compare 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, 13.

God’s Bible is charged with his spirit, and anyone who prayerfully takes the Bible to heart feels the effect of that spirit, it has God’s spirit in it and is therefore instructive.

JESUS SAID IF YOU HATE YOUR BROTHER YOU HAVE COMMITTED MURDER. ADULTERY CAN BE COMMITTED IN THEIR HEART.

That’s correct J.W’s try to apply these words—“as Jehovah’s servants, we would not commit murder. Yet, we would bear guilt before God if we hated a fellow Christian and wished him dead. “Everyone who hates his brother is a manslayer [or, “murderer”],” wrote the apostle John, “and you know that no manslayer has everlasting life remaining in him.” (1 John 3:15; New International Version) The Israelites were commanded: “You must not hate your brother in your heart.” (Leviticus 19:17) May we be quick to resolve any problem that arises between us and a fellow believer, so that the manslayer Satan does not destroy our Christian unity.—Luke 17:3, 4.”

“Turning attention to the seventh of the Ten Commandments, Jesus continues: “You heard that it was said, ‘You must not commit adultery.’” However, Jesus condemns even the steady attitude toward adultery. “I say to you that everyone that keeps on looking at a woman so as to have a passion for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

Jesus is not here speaking merely about a passing immoral thought but about ‘keeping on looking.’ Such continued looking arouses passionate desire, which, if opportunity affords, can culminate in adultery. How can a person prevent this from happening? Jesus illustrates how extreme measures may be necessary, saying: “If, now, that right eye of yours is making you stumble, tear it out and throw it away from you. . . . Also, if your right hand is making you stumble, cut it off and throw it away from you.”

People are often willing to sacrifice a literal limb that is diseased in order to save their lives. But according to Jesus, it is even more vital to ‘throw away’ anything, even something as precious as an eye or a hand, to avoid immoral thinking and actions. Otherwise, Jesus explains, such persons will be thrown into Gehenna (a burning rubbish heap near Jerusalem), which symbolizes eternal destruction.”( End quote)

THE LAW WAS NEVER ACCOMPLISHED LITERALLY, AND EVEN IF IT WAS, IT PROFITED NOTHING.

Firstly; the Law was not given to all humankind, Jehovah made a covenant, or an agreement, with the descendants of Jacob, who became the nation of Israel. Jehovah gave his laws to this nation only. The Bible makes this clear at Deuteronomy 5:1-3 and Psalm 147:19, 20.

The apostle Paul asked the question: “Why, then, the Law?” Yes, for what purpose did Jehovah give his law to Israel? Paul answered: “To make transgressions manifest, until the seed should arrive to whom the promise had been made . . . Consequently the Law has become our tutor [or, teacher] leading to Christ.” (Galatians 3:19-24)

The special purpose of the Law was to protect and guide the nation of Israel so that they might be ready to accept Christ when he arrived. The many sacrifices required by the Law reminded the Israelites that they were sinners who needed a Savior.—Hebrews 10:1-4.

So the law did accomplish its purpose, just as the bible accomplishes its purpose, 2 tim 3; 16,17


ROM_7:14  FOR WE KNOW THAT THE LAW IS SPIRITUAL: BUT I AM CARNAL, SOLD UNDER SIN.

At the time the first man Adam disobeyed God’s law, he surrendered perfect control of himself and yielded to the selfish desire to continue sharing association with his sinful wife and pleasing her. Adam’s surrendering himself to his sinful desire made this desire and its end product, sin, his master. (Ro 6:16; Jas 1:14, 15;) He thus sold himself under sin. As all of his offspring were yet in his loins, Adam also sold them under sin. That is why the apostle Paul wrote: “I am fleshly, sold under sin.” (Ro 7:14) For this reason there was no way for any of Adam’s descendants to make themselves righteous, not even by trying to keep the Mosaic Law. As the apostle Paul put it: “The commandment which was to life, this I found to be to death.” (Ro 7:10) The inability of humans to keep the Law perfectly showed that they were slaves to sin and deserving of death, not life.

Only by availing themselves of the deliverance made possible through Jesus Christ could individuals be emancipated or gain freedom from this enslavement. (Joh 8:31-34; Ro 7:21-25; Ga 4:1-7; Heb 2:14-16.) Having been bought with the precious blood of Jesus, Christians are slaves, or servants, of Jehovah God and of his Son, obligated to keep their commands.—1Co 7:22, 23; 1Pe 1:18, 19; Re 19:1, 2, 5


A SINNER IS PRONOUNCED GUILTY BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY ARE BY NATURAL BIRTH.

yes that’s true, but a “new birth” doesn’t have to take place to be pronounced “righteous” in God’s eyes, some are given a new birth, born again, anointed, but the majority are not—

Ps. 37:29: “The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.”

Rev. 21:3, 4: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”

A new birth is needed to enter heaven, its not needed to live on earth.

TRUE CHRISTIANITY

Having a personal relationship with God is certainly important, merely attending religious services in a formalistic way cannot take the place of it. But we need to be careful. Why? In the first century, there were people who thought they had a good relationship with God but whom Jesus showed to be badly mistaken. (John 8:41-44) The apostle Paul wrote about some who evidently were zealous about their faith and obviously thought they had a good relationship with God but who did not understand what was really required in order to have God’s approval.—Rom. 10:2-4.

Could we have a good personal relationship with God if we treated as of little importance his command to study mediate & apply his inspired word in our lives?


IF ONE WERE TO BOAST THAT THEY ARE KEEPING ALL THE LAWS, COMMANDMENTS, PRECEPTS, IN THE WORD, THEY MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO BOAST ABOUT, BUT NOT BEFORE HIM.

Jesus introduced a “new covenant,” based on the better sacrifice of his own perfect human life. Christians come under this new covenant and are subject to Christian laws. (Hebrews 8:7-13; Luke 22:20)

Pleasing God & obeying his commands go hand in hand; The Bible says: “You must love Jehovah your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your vital force.” (Deuteronomy 6:5) As your love for God grows, you will be filled with a desire to do what he requires of you. “This is what the love of God means,” wrote the apostle John, “that we observe his commandments.” If you love Jehovah with your whole heart, you will find that “his commandments are not burdensome.”—1 John 5:3.

JESUS TAUGHT US HOW TO FOLLOW, AND OBEY THE LEADING OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD

HE CERTAINLY DID –

1. Jesus said: “By their fruits you will recognize them (true followers) Every good tree produces fine fruit, but every rotten tree produces worthless fruit; . . . Really, then, by their fruits you will recognize those men.” (Matthew 7:16-20)

2. True worshipers of God would ACT in harmony with the Model Prayer that Jesus gave his followers. The first thing Jesus there mentioned was this: “Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified” (Matthew 6:9)

3. “I have made your name manifest to the men you gave me out of the world.” (John 17:6) Jesus made God’s name, Jehovah, known to others. He did not fail to use that name. Jesus knew that it was his Father’s purpose for His name to be glorified in all the earth. So he set the example in proclaiming that name and holding it holy.—John 12:28; Isaiah 12:4, 5.

4. Jesus at all times showed respect for God’s Word. Time and again he appealed to it as the final authority on matters. (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10; 19:4-6) Jesus also showed respect for the Bible by living in accord with its teachings. Mark 7:9-13.

J.W’s do the same.

Perhaps I can leave you with a question

Is it possible for a person to have God’s spirit and yet not be “born again”? Matt. 11:11, 12. 1 Sam. 16:13; 2 Sam. 23:2) Acts 2:34



all the best
brenda

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Perhaps I can leave you with a question

Is it possible for a person to have God’s spirit and yet not be “born again”? Matt. 11:11, 12. 1 Sam. 16:13; 2 Sam. 23:2) Acts 2:34

all the best
brenda

<u>The answer to that question is NO! If the scriptures are to be taken as inspired,then ....
Joh 7:38  He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
John 7:39  (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

Joh 3:3  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:4  Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
Joh 3:5  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:6  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Joh 3:7  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

One must be born of the Spirit, in order to receive the Spirit. The Holy Spirit does not inhabit an non-sanctified vessel/temple. Even the tabernacle of old had to be sanctified by the water and blood sprinkling by Moses before the Cloud inhabited it.

Jesus Himself being the very example to usward. Born of the Spirit, by the Spirit,  and later filled with the Spirit after Johns' baptisim at the river Jordan.

You mention John being filled with the Spirit Luke 1:15. As in all other references of persons being filled with the Spirit, before Christs ascension! You would notice that the Greek translation of the word filled, does not necessarily mean filled as in a liquid poured into a glass. It quite clearly refers to mean.....
G4130
πλήθω
plēthō
play'-tho, pleh'-o,
A prolonged form of a primary word πλέω pleō (which appears only as an alternate in certain tenses and in the reduplicated form of πίμπλημι pimplēmi to “fill” (literally or figuratively [imbue, influence, supply] ); specifically to fulfil (time): - accomplish, full (. . . come), furnish.

The Spirit never indwelt anyone prior to Jesus ascension. Jesus said when He returned to the father, He would send the Spirit, to be in them. The ones He was speaking to were those that had been born again, by the Spirit, but not yet filled...  

Paul ran into disciples of John that were born again by the Spirit, but had not as yet received the Spirit. Acts 19.  Same as Apollos in Acts 18. Pricilla and Aquilla had to take him aside to explain that which he was missing.

So again. Can one receive the Spirits habitation without being born of the Spirit? NO!

How does one get born again? Same way Jesus was in Mary. She received the Word, and believed it in her heart.  One will also  notice that the Word is also interpreted as (parentage seed) spermazoa Grk.

1Pe_1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed,G4701 but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
=(seed)
G4701
σπορά
spora
spor-ah'
From G4687; a sowing, that is, (by implication) parentage: - seed.

Answer
ok thats what the bible says about "born again" ones, now are you open to looking at the scriptures that talk about those who are NOT born again? those who will inherit everlasting life on EARTH?

Matt. 5:5:
Matt. 6:10
Ps. 37:29
Prov. 2:21, 22
Ps. 37:9, 11
Acts 2:34:
Matt. 11:11
Mic. 4:3, 4
John 10:16
2 Pet. 3:13:
Rev. 7:9, 10
Rev. 5:10