[James Hutchins]

Re: Knowing God through Jesus

I re-read this post. I noticed the OP has avoided the tough questions and was attempting push an agenda. Pretty slick.

[Pastor Ezekiel]

Re: Knowing God through Jesus

Why does that matter?

It only matters if you care about being washed in His blood.

I usually read either the NRSV (because it was constructed by scholars of ancient texts and is respected by most academics, both the believing and the unbelieving) or the KJV (because that's what I grew up reading).

Why on earth would a Christian care about which false Bible version unsaved heathens vouch for? Please take a look at my sermon HERE on how to tell which is the one true version of God's Holy Word.

[Brother Lazarus]

Re: Knowing God through Jesus

I think we're on the same page, but we're communicating a little differently. While I, personally, haven't done the best job as a missionary for God I do agree with you that we should be actively spreading His word to the world. If I meet someone who God leads me to approach in a more "shocking" fashion, I will listen.

Thanks for sharing your view.

We should be totally reliant on God for how to interact with unbelievers, He is the only one who can save them.

Here I disagree somewhat. The Bible is clear. It mandates that we go out and preach the Gospel. Jesus has shown how to interact with non-believers. He is clear. Jesus says find God though Him, or burn in Hell. Should not Jesus be our inspiration as we call sinners to come to Salvation? Only Jesus can save, but no one will come to Jesus without hearing the Word. That is our mission, getting the Word out to non-believers. They can listen, or not.

Nothing we say or do will ever be able to bring someone to Christ, I trust that you believe that as well.

I totally disagree. How will anyone come to be Saved if they aren't told what they need to do? Only Jesus can save, but someone needs to tell even the most vile sinners what they need to do to get to Heaven because they need to know that the only alternative is eternal fire.

I've been disagreeing with the idea that it's appropriate to take a full-forced completely shocking approach to ministry no matter who we're interacting with.

We shock those that need to be shocked. Sometimes it takes a shock to start listening.

I don't believe that I am soft or sub-par in God's eyes if I am looking to Him for what to say and what to do.

You are soft in your approach to Evangelism. I don't doubt your faith.

I do suggest you re-read your Bible. I think you may have missed the parts that tend to be unpleasant. Like I noted earlier, Jesus didn't do away with the O.T. The laws still apply except for what I noted in an earlier post. People need to understand that.

Yours in Christ
Brother Lazarus

[Tar Heel Sk8tr]

Re: Knowing God through Jesus

Most excellent post, Brother Lazarus.

What a lot of people do not realize is that with an Internet forum, it is not effort for people to come in. A real brick and mortar building, you have to get showed and dressed, drive park and so on. Here, people just barge in and spew. So we have to be tough to deal with these street people. I think Brother.In.Christ's attitude is about .1% of the visitors we get here. It is a shame he is so negative and hateful though and refuses to see the war we are waging for the Lord.

I was almost brought to tears when you called me negative and hateful. I love you and I love God and I love Christ. I am sorry that I have made you feel anything to the contrary. I am fighting against evil every day just as you are, and I'm trying as best I can to rely on God to tell me how I should do that.

[Tar Heel Sk8tr]

Re: Knowing God through Jesus

We are neighbors!



Nice choices!



I appreciate your intentions, but it is my belief that we as Christians need to do more than lead simply by example. You seem to think that in your goodness you will inspire others to come to Jesus. You're preaching to the choir. If the people inspired by the way you lead your life aren't already Saved, they will be in short order.

There are real sinners out there. You probably associate only with other soft Christians. It doesn't sound like you're preaching the word of God to actual sinners. Do you seek out and rebuke sinners? Actual sinners that need hear the word of God in very real and sometimes shocking terms? There are homosexuals, thieves, adulterers, and all sorts of other actual sinners who will never hear the Word of God unless it is hurled directly into their faces.

I believe in the more direct approach to lead sinners to Salvation.

Yours in Christ
Brother Lazarus

I think we're on the same page, but we're communicating a little differently. While I, personally, haven't done the best job as a missionary for God I do agree with you that we should be actively spreading His word to the world. If I meet someone who God leads me to approach in a more "shocking" fashion, I will listen. We should be totally reliant on God for how to interact with unbelievers, He is the only one who can save them. Nothing we say or do will ever be able to bring someone to Christ, I trust that you believe that as well.

I've been disagreeing with the idea that it's appropriate to take a full-forced completely shocking approach to ministry no matter who we're interacting with. I don't believe that I am soft or sub-par in God's eyes if I am looking to Him for what to say and what to do.

[James Hutchins]

Re: Knowing God through Jesus

Most excellent post, Brother Lazarus.

What a lot of people do not realize is that with an Internet forum, it is not effort for people to come in. A real brick and mortar building, you have to get showed and dressed, drive park and so on. Here, people just barge in and spew. So we have to be tough to deal with these street people. I think Brother.In.Christ's attitude is about .1% of the visitors we get here. It is a shame he is so negative and hateful though and refuses to see the war we are waging for the Lord.

[Brother Lazarus]

Re: Knowing God through Jesus

I go to a local Baptist church in North Carolina.

We are neighbors!

I love every verse of the bible. If I had to pick some favorites they'd probably be along the lines of...

Romans 8:31-39 -- "... (38)I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, (39)nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

1 Corinthians 10:31-33 -- "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. Give no offense to the Jews or to the Greeks, or to the church of God, ...."

Matthew 5:14-16 -- "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."

Just to name a few

Nice choices!

I spread the gospel with my life. In everything I do and every interaction I have, I try, humbly, in my imperfection, to glorify God. I have faith that He will touch the hearts of those who do not yet believe and that He alone has the power of conviction, to change someone's life. I believe that anyone who actively pursues a relationship with God through our savior Jesus Christ and strives continually to build His kingdom on the earth by spreading His gospel, who humbly lives by His teachings is guaranteed salvation.

I appreciate your intentions, but it is my belief that we as Christians need to do more than lead simply by example. You seem to think that in your goodness you will inspire others to come to Jesus. You're preaching to the choir. If the people inspired by the way you lead your life aren't already Saved, they will be in short order.

There are real sinners out there. You probably associate only with other soft Christians. It doesn't sound like you're preaching the word of God to actual sinners. Do you seek out and rebuke sinners? Actual sinners that need hear the word of God in very real and sometimes shocking terms? There are homosexuals, thieves, adulterers, and all sorts of other actual sinners who will never hear the Word of God unless it is hurled directly into their faces.

I believe in the more direct approach to lead sinners to Salvation.

Yours in Christ
Brother Lazarus

[Tar Heel Sk8tr]

Re: Knowing God through Jesus

Since you have read the Bible, you know that Jesus gave many loving sermons. He was also, very often, rebuking. Would you have us do otherwise? Would you not have us point out sins that will result in eternal damnation? Would you have us be gentle when a soul is a stake? No, we care so much we are willing to give the tough love necessary to get a sinner's attention.

Is it hate speech to call out a homosexual? The Bible clearly states that this sin will be punished with eternal damnation. We do raise our voices to these people in hopes they will not only hear, but listen. That isn't hate speech, it is love speech.

Yours in Christ
Brother Lazarus

I understand your position and I agree that we should lift up those who are struggling and fallen. The problem is that the people you're trying to reach will believe that you hate them and that they have no hope, if you go about it using those words and phrases. I wrote two paragraphs earlier that both had the same exact message and the same exact intentions, but the way they were conveyed was completely different. Regardless of the message of the gospel that WE (you and me) see behind your words, the common unbeliever will not see it, they will only see hate. That's all I'm trying to say.

[Tar Heel Sk8tr]

Re: Knowing God through Jesus

So where do you go to Church? What are some of your favorite Bible verses? Keep in mind we only use the A.V. 1611 King James Bible.

How do you generally go about sharing His Gospel?

Yours in Christ
Brother Lazarus

I go to a local Baptist church in North Carolina.

I love every verse of the bible. If I had to pick some favorites they'd probably be along the lines of...

Romans 8:31-39 -- "... (38)I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, (39)nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

1 Corinthians 10:31-33 -- "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. Give no offense to the Jews or to the Greeks, or to the church of God, ...."

Matthew 5:14-16 -- "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."

Just to name a few

I spread the gospel with my life. In everything I do and every interaction I have, I try, humbly, in my imperfection, to glorify God. I have faith that He will touch the hearts of those who do not yet believe and that He alone has the power of conviction, to change someone's life. I believe that anyone who actively pursues a relationship with God through our savior Jesus Christ and strives continually to build His kingdom on the earth by spreading His gospel, who humbly lives by His teachings is guaranteed salvation.

[Brother Lazarus]

Re: Knowing God through Jesus

Now we're beginning to reach an understanding. I had been led to believe that LBC believed that only members of their church could be saved. I still disagree with the amount of rebuking and hate speech (deliberate or otherwise) that I've seen and heard from the members of LBC, but I understand you.

Since you have read the Bible, you know that Jesus gave many loving sermons. He was also, very often, rebuking. Would you have us do otherwise? Would you not have us point out sins that will result in eternal damnation? Would you have us be gentle when a soul is a stake? No, we care so much we are willing to give the tough love necessary to get a sinner's attention.

Is it hate speech to call out a homosexual? The Bible clearly states that this sin will be punished with eternal damnation. We do raise our voices to these people in hopes they will not only hear, but listen. That isn't hate speech, it is love speech.

Yours in Christ
Brother Lazarus

[James Hutchins]

Re: Knowing God through Jesus

You did not seem to get the point I was making in my first paragraph. Or in your silence you are in agreement?


Friend, I am merely a True Christian. I am not a Pastor. I'll take at your word, as I do with everyone. But as Brother Lazarus stated, it really is between you and God. But a Pastor helps ensure you are on the right track.

[Brother Lazarus]

Re: Knowing God through Jesus

Okay, so you'll have to trust me when I say this. I have accepted Jesus Christ and I look to God for guidance through Him. Pastors are generally wonderful people who have sacrificed a great deal of their time to preach the gospel within a community of believers, I love the pastor of my church and I seek his guidance -- but ultimately I understand that perfect guidance comes from God. My true and only intentions in this world are to live faithful to Christ's teachings, live in God's presence continually, and share His gospel with anyone and everyone.

So where do you go to Church? What are some of your favorite Bible verses? Keep in mind we only use the A.V. 1611 King James Bible.

How do you generally go about sharing His Gospel?

Yours in Christ
Brother Lazarus

[Tar Heel Sk8tr]

Re: Knowing God through Jesus

If you had read my earlier posts, I told you what is required of you to be Saved. I did not note that it is required to be a member of this Church.

There is no deliberate hate speech. Sometimes when people get really full of Jesus, they do go overboard. The Pastors do give private rebukes as necessary. But, in essence, everything that is said here can be backed up by scripture.

As for the status of your soul? That is between you and Jesus. I've merely outlined the rules.

Yours in Christ
Brother Lazarus

Now we're beginning to reach an understanding. I had been led to believe that LBC believed that only members of their church could be saved. I still disagree with the amount of rebuking and hate speech (deliberate or otherwise) that I've seen and heard from the members of LBC, but I understand you.

[Tar Heel Sk8tr]

Re: Knowing God through Jesus

You certainly appear to be accusatory but, it does not affect me because I am a True Christian and I know it cannot be directed at me. Now do you see, if you heart and mind is pure, those words mean nothing, only the words of God shall steer my life. Do you see the point I have been making? Do not focus on the words but rather focus on the message.


I have no idea if you are devoted or not. You have made around ten posts so far. If you had made 200, and I knew you, you had accepted a Pastor to provide spiritual guidance, perhaps got involved in the Church, then I would know your true intentions as would the Pastors. But at the moment, you are still a stranger to me and I have been burnt by many strangers on the Internet so I am leery. I am sure you understand.

Okay, so you'll have to trust me when I say this. I have accepted Jesus Christ and I look to God for guidance through Him. Pastors are generally wonderful people who have sacrificed a great deal of their time to preach the gospel within a community of believers, I love the pastor of my church and I seek his guidance -- but ultimately I understand that perfect guidance comes from God. My true and only intentions in this world are to live faithful to Christ's teachings, live in God's presence continually, and share His gospel with anyone and everyone.

[Brother Lazarus]

Re: Knowing God through Jesus

I have been baptized. I have accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior. I believe the bible is the inspired Word of God.

Am I going to hell because I am not a member of LBC and I don't use hate-speech? Is that what all of this is about?

If you had read my earlier posts, I told you what is required of you to be Saved. I did not note that it is required to be a member of this Church.

There is no deliberate hate speech. Sometimes when people get really full of Jesus, they do go overboard. The Pastors do give private rebukes as necessary. But, in essence, everything that is said here can be backed up by scripture.

As for the status of your soul? That is between you and Jesus. I've merely outlined the rules.

Yours in Christ
Brother Lazarus