1 Corinthians 15:1-8 - The Gospel That Saves (evolution, confess, faith)
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However, since the men who were with Paul also experienced some of what Paul saw, that is, they saw a light and they heard a voice which they couldn't make out, that rules out any kind of a subjective hallucination or epileptic seizure on Paul's part.
You insist on claiming that Paul was afflicted before having his encounter with Jesus. You're a career skeptic. As I told you on the other thread, just remain a skeptic. It's not my problem.
I am skeptical of a story of a corpse coming back to life and flying away in exactly the same way that I am skeptical of a story of flying reindeer, or an angel named Moroni, just to name a few historically unrealistic claims, this is true. All three stories are equally unreasonable. Make believe and gullibility go hand in hand with unfounded assertions, blind unskeptical faith, and an individual's upbringing and indoctrination. The entire story of the "risen" Jesus can be easily explained as a false rumor spread by the early followers of Jesus, without recourse to any supernatural cause or occurrence.
I am skeptical of a story of a corpse coming back to life and flying away in exactly the same way that I am skeptical of a story of flying reindeer, or an angel named Moroni, just to name a few historically unrealistic claims, this is true. All three stories are equally unreasonable. Make believe and gullibility go hand in hand with unfounded assertions, blind unskeptical faith, and an individual's upbringing and indoctrination. The entire story of the "risen" Jesus can be easily explained as a false rumor spread by the early followers of Jesus, without recourse to any supernatural cause or occurrence.
Thanks DRob. That is the true gospel. Eternal salvation is as simple as that. Eternal life is a free gift which is offered to all, and received by grace through faith in Christ Jesus. Simply believe that He died for our sins (that He died for you personally), and that He rose again. This is a recognition that you can do nothing to earn your salvation but that Jesus did everything necessary for your salvation. Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.
How does one "simply" believe? ....i.e. is that different from the OP's command to just "believe".
Thanks DRob. That is the true gospel. Eternal salvation is as simple as that. Eternal life is a free gift which is offered to all, and received by grace through faith in Christ Jesus. Simply believe that He died for our sins (that He died for you personally), and that He rose again. This is a recognition that you can do nothing to earn your salvation but that Jesus did everything necessary for your salvation. Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.
Except that all observation throughout time indicates that all living things die, WITHOUT FAIL. Believers declare that they will be saved from death because when they die an invisible part of them will go to an invisible place to be with invisible friends. And this corresponds to pure make believe. Much like claiming that Santa has a workshop at the north pole full of elves. But we can never visit Santa's workshop because it is invisible.
However, since the men who were with Paul also experienced some of what Paul saw, that is, they saw a light and they heard a voice which they couldn't make out, that rules out any kind of a subjective hallucination or epileptic seizure on Paul's part.
Where exactly can one find the testimony from these men that indicate that they "experienced some of what Paul saw." This is Paul's version of events. But Paul was the stricken man, blind and infirm at the time.
Paul claim to have seen a light brighter than the sun since Jesus claim to be the light of the world. Paul also in 2 Cor 11:14
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
Acts 9:3-9
13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.
14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
Acts 26:13-16
Except that all observation throughout time indicates that all living things die, WITHOUT FAIL. Believers declare that they will be saved from death because when they die an invisible part of them will go to an invisible place to be with invisible friends. And this corresponds to pure make believe. Much like claiming that Santa has a workshop at the north pole full of elves. But we can never visit Santa's workshop because it is invisible.
The body dies. The soul of both the believer and unbeliever survives the death of the body. However, the destination of the soul of the believer is different from that of the unbeliever. At the moment of physical death the believer goes to heaven awaiting the resurrection of the body. The unbeliever goes to hades where he also awaits the resurrection of the body. The time will come when all believers will be resurrected and live in the presence of God forever in the new earth and new heavens. The very moment a person believes in Christ he has eternal life. He enters into an eternal relationship with God. The time will come when the unbeliever will be sent to the lake of fire in resurrected body where he will exist forever in a state of spiritual separation from God.
The body dies. The soul of both the believer and unbeliever survives the death of the body. However, the destination of the soul of the believer is different from that of the unbeliever. At the moment of physical death the believer goes to heaven awaiting the resurrection of the body. The unbeliever goes to hades where he also awaits the resurrection of the body. The time will come when all believers will be resurrected and live in the presence of God forever in the new earth and new heavens. The very moment a person believes in Christ he has eternal life. He enters into an eternal relationship with God. The time will come when the unbeliever will be sent to the lake of fire in resurrected body where he will exist forever in a state of spiritual separation from God.
Wow. What a bummer. Imagine this...your born black in Somalia into terrible poverty. Pain and suffering all around..you heard of Christ but everyone you know is Muslim. You die at the age of 16, having experienced zero luxuries in life and nothing but hardship. Now you wake up in hades...even worse than Earth. Then God resurrects you and gives you a new, immortal body. Plop, into the lake of fire you go.
This is beyond a terrible nightmare and the majority of souls have only this to look forward to ??
I know you don't like it anymore than I do but when God decided to give man free will........this is the result.
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