Head-dibs

Question: Jesus says, “ No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man ” (John 3:13); but, the Bible says, “ And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; For God took him ” (Genesis 5:24); that “ And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven” (2 Kings 2:11) and “ Enoch was translated that he should not see death ” (Hebrews 11:5). So which is it: has anyone ascended into heaven, or not? Answer: Interesting to note what Jesus says in the previous verse: " If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things ?” (John 3:12). Jesus’ statement about ascending into heaven is in the context of a conversation and is not some independent mystical inculcation. Jesus is speaking with Nicodemus, a teacher who has not understood the very lessons he should be teaching. Jesus says, “ You must be born again ” (John 3:7). Nicodemus shows his confusion, “ How can these things be? ” (John 3:9). Jesus repli...

Please take time to read this wonderful article on Decisional Regeneration .

James Adams published an excellent article on this topic in the Sword & Trowel, 1972.

“Christ will do.” This is my peace. “Christ will do,” Makes vain toils cease. “Christ will do;” Is covering fleece. “Christ will do.” Is His increase. “Christ will do,” His blood for me. “Christ will do” My cleansing be. “Christ will do,” And all will see How “Christ will do” To set men free. Say, “Christ will do,” Till all have heard. For “Christ will do,” Is life’s watchword. When “Christ will do,” Dead hearts are stirred, That “Christ will do,” Is grace conferred. “Christ will do,” Thus ends the war. “Christ will do.” He is the door. “Christ will do.” Makes praises soar. “Christ will do.” There is no more. (copyright James K. Wilson, Jr. April 23, 2008.)

Isaiah 6:3 ; Revelation 1:8 ; Isaiah 43:25 ; 1 John 3:18-22 ; James 4:13-16 ; Micah 4:2 The Lord our God is enthroned on High, and we live in His world unstunned by His glory. The angels in God’s presence don’t dare to look or be uncovered in His sight; yet they dare not look at anything but Him nor do anything that is not pleasing to Him. They dare not say anything beyond calling out who He is. They are not merely overcome with astonishment, but are mobilized by the fear of who He is. Men live, move and have their being without guilt or shame, uncovered with high-handed sin in His sight. There is no fear of God before our eyes. If we did fear Him, He would receive much higher praise, louder and longer praise by all we say and do. “ Einstein had so little use for organized religion, although he strikes me as a basically very religious man. He must have looked at what the preachers said about God and felt that they were blaspheming. He had seen much more majesty than they had every imag...

“The message of salvation can be presented through means of the printed page. It never flinches, it never grows tired, never grows disheartened; it works while we sleep; it travels cheaply and requires no rented building; it never loses its temper; and it works long after we are dead. The printed page is a visitor which gets inside the home and stays there; it always catches a man in the right mood, for it speaks to him only when he is reading it; it always sticks to what it has said, and never answers back. The printed page is deathless: you can destroy one, but the press can reproduce millions. As often as it is martyred it is raised. It can enter doors locked to the evangelist; it preaches in the factory, the train, the kitchen; it visits the school and the jail; it whispers in the ear of the dying. The printed message can reach those whose religions forbid them to go to church. It can reach the student who, proud of his intellectualism, refuses to listen to the Gospel or relate him...

Changed from an ugly caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly! This transformation that takes place in nature is a good illustration of what takes place when a person experiences the new birth. Man's life begins unattractively, too, being born in sin and shapen in iniquity ( Psalm 51:5 ), and he continues to live after the desires of the flesh and mind ( Ephesians 2:3 ). This is contrary to God's purpose in creation, and shows man's need to be made a new creature in Christ Jesus. Only the new birth can give one new desires and a new life. The caterpillar does not become a butterfly by education, religion, or self-effort. Likewise, it is only by the miraculous metamorphosis of new birth that a man's life can be made beautiful to God and man. A few passages from the Scriptures will serve to enlighten the seeking soul about the new birth. The Fact John 1:12,13 state the fact of the new birth: "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the [children] of...