petra1000

I am a born again christian who loves the Lord and I am taking bible classes online
I am a born again christian who loves the Lord and I am taking bible classes online

Matthew 7:21 – Calling on the Name of the Lord

Problem: Considering how many people within Christendom teach that an individual can be saved merely by professing a belief in Christ, it is not surprising that skeptics claim that the Bible contradicts itself in this regard. Although Peter and Paul declared, “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:21; Romans 10:13; cf. Joel 2:32), skeptics quickly remind their readers that Jesus once stated: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21; cf. Luke 6:46). Allegedly, Matthew 7:21 clashes with such passages as Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13 (see Morgan, 2003; Wells, 2001). Since many professed Christians seem to equate “calling on the name of the Lord” with the idea of saying to Jesus, “Lord, save me,” Bible critics feel even more justified in their pronouncement of “conflicting testimonies.” How can certain professed followers of Christ claim that they were saved by simply “calling out to Christ,” when Christ Himself proclaimed that a mere calling upon Him would not save a person?
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Posted by petra1000 in Bible Difficulty, Bible Study, Bible Teaching

Matthew 7:1 – To Judge, or Not to Judge?

Problem: One of the most oft’-quoted verses in the Bible is Matthew 7:1—“Judge not, that you be not judged.” Those engaged in immoral behavior frequently quote this verse when attempting to defend their sinful lifestyle. Certain religionists quote it when being challenged to prove that their questionable practices are backed by biblical authority. A belligerent teenager might be heard reciting this phrase to his parents when they inquire about his occasional association with “the wrong crowd.” Skeptics even quote Matthew 7:1 in an attempt to show an inconsistency in Jesus’ teachings. From church pews to barstools, from the “Bible belt” to Hollywood, Matthew 7:1 is ripped from its context and bellowed as some kind of scare tactic: “Do you dare judge me? Jesus said, ‘Judge not, that you be not judged.’ ” Allegedly, Jesus meant that we cannot pass judgment on anyone at anytime.
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Posted by petra1000 in Bible Difficulty, Bible Study, Bible Teaching

Matthew 6:9-13 – To whom did Jesus tell the Lord’s Prayer?

Problem: Some critics assert a contradiction between Matthew and Luke by point out that some of the same teachings found in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) are found in different contexts in Luke. For example, when Jesus offers the model prayer often known as the “Lord’s Prayer,” Matthew has Jesus teaching the multitude how to pray (Matt. 6:6-13). Luke records another instance (Luke 11:1-4), where the disciples ask Him to teach them to pray, which He does in much the same way He taught the crowd in Matthew. There is certainly no logical conflict here at all. Jesus can (and did) teach the same thing more
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Posted by petra1000 in Bible Difficulty, Bible Study, Bible Teaching

Matthew 6:5-8 – Should Christians Pray in Public or Not?

Problem:Why did Paul encourage Christians to pray everywhere, but Jesus said to pray in secret?

A couple passages in Scripture regarding prayer have been cited as a contradiction. Here are the verses in question:

I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. (1 Timothy 2:8)
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Posted by petra1000 in Bible Difficulty, Bible Study, Bible Teaching

Matthew 6:1-4 – Good Works—To Be Seen or Hidden?

Problem: When examining the various lists of alleged Bible contradictions that skeptics have compiled, a person likely will notice how some alleged contradictions seem to appear on almost every list. The question, “Has anyone seen God?” (cf. John 1:18; Genesis 32:30), appears quite frequently, as does the supposed difficulty of Joseph being the son of two different men (cf. Matthew 1:16; Luke 3:23). One question that also has made its way onto numerous skeptics’ lists (somewhat to my surprise) is that of whether or not God wants His disciples to do good works to be seen of men. Purportedly, two statements that Jesus made within the “Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 5-7) are incompatible. First, Jesus stated:
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Posted by petra1000 in Bible Difficulty, Bible Study, Bible Teaching

Matthew 6:1-4 – Should or should we not let our good works be seen?

Problem: As with any piece of literature, to best understand its statements you must read them in context. The Bible is no different. Matthew 5:16 is in the context of the beatitudes (Matt. 5:1 – 7:29) where Jesus is teaching proper, good, and moral behavior. Disciples of Jesus are to light; that is, doers of good. 1 Peter 2:12 is where Peter is admonishing the Christians to live godly and holy lives before the unbelievers. We Christians live in the world among unbelievers and they are going to see how we live. Peter is telling us to act properly with unbelievers so that false accusations will not stand against us because we have lived with integrity among them.
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Posted by petra1000 in Bible Difficulty, Bible Study, Bible Teaching

Matthew 5:33–37 – Did Jesus condemn all oath taking, even in court?

Problem: This and many other verses (cf. Hosea 4:2; Matt. 5:33–37) condemn oath-taking. In James’ words, “Above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath.” Jesus had said the same thing, namely, “Do not swear at all: neither by heaven … nor by the earth” (Matt. 5:34–35). On the other hand, there are many places in the Bible where oaths were taken and blessed by God (cf. Gen. 21:24; Deut. 6:13). Indeed, angels took oaths (Rev. 10:5–6), as did God Himself (Heb. 6:13).
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Posted by petra1000 in Bible Difficulty, Bible Study, Bible Teaching

Matthew 5:22 – Was Jesus a Hypocrite?

Problem: A man who instructs a person to refrain from doing something he deems inappropriate, but then proceeds to do the very thing he forbade the other person to do, is considered a hypocrite. A preacher who teaches about the sinfulness of drunkenness (cf. Galatians 5:21), but then is seen a short while later stumbling down the street, intoxicated with alcohol, could be accused of being guilty of hypocrisy. Some have accused Jesus of such insincere teaching. Allegedly, in the very sermon in which He condemned the Pharisees for their unrighteousness (Matthew 5:20), Jesus revealed His own sinfulness by way of condemning those who used a word He sometimes uttered. Based upon His forbiddance of the use of the word “fool” in Matthew 5:22, and His use of this word elsewhere, skeptics have asserted that Jesus (Whom the Bible claims “committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth”—1 Peter 2:22; cf. 2 Corinthians 5:21), was guilty of hypocrisy (see Morgan, 2003; Wells, 2001). In Matthew 5:21-22 Jesus stated:
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Posted by petra1000 in Bible Difficulty, Bible Study, Bible Teaching