Ding R: I have seen this kind of tactics by those who made the changes and those who want to DECEIVE.
EMA: As in the philboxing forum on religion where I have been a “resident” since 2005, I never exerted any effort to convince those who read my posts to believe me. I pointed it out there, as I point it out now, that while to share to those who ask what I understand is my job, to make another understand what I’m posting is not part of my job description. I don’t usurp Christ’s power and authority to open any person’s mind for him to comprehend the scriptures.
Luke 24:45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.
Candido de los Reyes: Epi, ONLY God gives understanding and wisdom:
EMA: Absolutely Ding!
When I discussed with the rabid bible critics for years in the philboxing.com forum on religion, I asked God to give me wisdom in dealing politely with them as James suggested we should.
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
With the bible critics asked hard hitting questions, I can testify that God guided me in posting the appropriate and non antagonistic responses to even the most provocative questions. There were times when I type answers which were not what I really intended to post. After typing the comment ready for posting, I realize the responsiveness to the question of what I have typed. And then I learn and have a better understanding of the bible verse in issue.
These learning and sharing of understanding I have since posted in the Cog Fwl fb account of which you are aware of. I really appreciate your reading and commenting of these posts.
Gil Ellamil: I have a question: How can we be sure that what the scriptures say & would like us to understand (the intent meaning) is the way we really understood them? The same scripture has different meaning & interpretation & understanding to different people? Pano ba tayo nakasisigurado at pano ba tayo nakatitiyak na ang pagka intindi natin ay ang syang tama at ang pagka intindi ng iba sa palagay natin eh mali?
EMA: My answer to Gil’s question is, let’s not overlook and not forget that it is Jesus Christ who opens understanding for us to comprehend the Scriptures. When a question or an issue is presented, set aside first what you have in mind and allow Jesus to provide the answer.
This is what I did over the years I have been discussing with atheists, bible critics and the other Christians at the philboxing.com forum on religion. I prayerfully read the question asking Christ to lead me in coming up with the most appropriate response to the question. There were times when what I had in mind changed when I started to type the response. After typing and before clicking the submit button, I read what I just typed and I learn a better understanding from what I just typed.
Let’s not be presumptive that we are right and the other is wrong when we make comments. And to avoid offending another, we comment on the post and not on the person. Let our own comments also be open to Christ’s correction. I believe I have a better understanding now than what I had years ago. I still look forward to Christ’s granting me more understanding as I have picked up new insights from the fb threads I participate in.
“How can we be sure that what the scriptures say & would like us to understand…?” Leave it to Jesus Christ to do his job. And let’s be open to new insights. The insights could be Christ’s to teach us!
(Jaime P Ramos, Maxie Fabricante and Gil Ellamil like this.)
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Ruel Guerrero: Epi: I had four posts one after the other. The last post was very favorable of you. No judgment against you at all. In fact, I mentioned that your posts were “impeccable.” But somehow my last 3 posts got removed.
EMA: Actually my saying “don’t judge me” was made in jest. I thank God we have these discussions. Do post what you have in mind. It is not only the discussion participants who will be reading our views. And God would cause those he intends to understand to read and understand what he causes us to post. I speak from experience at the religion forum of philboxing.com.
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Surrogacy is “new” to bible readers
Cog Fwl: My view is new. I haven’t read it anywhere. Even Maxie Fabricante and the others found Jesus’ birth as a surrogacy to be new to them. There will be more truths to be understood in these latter days. But there is no forcing of it to the hearers/readers.
Candido de los Reyes: You said: “My view is new.” We call this DAG-DAG BAWAS: Deu_4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
Deu_12:32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it. Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Rom 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Cog Fwl: Yes, my view is new. I haven’t read it in any publication that even Maxie Fabricante commented that it is very interesting. I invite you to comment on Maxie’s thread so the others will be encouraged to continue proving or disproving the surrogacy of Mary in regard to Jesus in this link: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=165064233653182&set=a.109831615843111.18715.100004488185470&type=1&theater¬if_t=photo_reply
Understanding grows and there will be more growth in understanding as Jesus’ return approaches. One can choose to grow or remain in his present level of understanding. Bible truths remain. It is the understanding by the bible student which progresses. The full knowledge is not yet attained by any man but Christ (Ephesians 4:11-13).
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