Buddybearr

Sorry Ron, I highly disagree that churches in America show very little grace...churches in america as in the world send missionaries and support to all in need in the glorious name of Jesus and as His humble servants always. Total condemnation of American churches is seriously flawed and doesnt honor the spirit or grace or love of Christ. Again condemning the "systems of denomiation as universal and not of Christ" is way too judgemental and not reflective of true spirit of various denomations that dedicate their heart and souls and spirits to honor, serve, and glorify Christ. Yes there may be a few bad "apple" churches with confused ideologies like the Catholic church stand currently on pedophilia diving and ducking and not standing up and taking responsibility but that is not all denominations or all Catholics or other denominations or "saints" who follow those denominations. Blanket condemnation is a tool of Satan to weaken the body of Christ so be wary and careful what you say or judge. Judge not or Ye shall be judged. We all have to watch what we say or do in the name of Christ making sure we always reflect His spirit and the Holy word and not our personal philosophies.

Q3A. (Colossians 1:16) "Thrones," "powers," "rulers," "principalities," "authorities," etc. probably refer to both earthly as well as angelic and demonic dominions. What does this passage teach about the relation of these powers to Jesus? Jesus is ruler, creator and exercises His majestic power and unchallengeable authority over of all in heaven, on earth and demonic domains including the Evil one who roams the earth - Satan. Q3B. (Colossians 1:16)How should this affect our fear of them? As Jesus' appointed saints, He promised this in Luke 10:19 "I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you." All the power of Jesus is ours to use , thru prayer and petition , against the forces of demonic domains, fallen angels and even Satan. Plus the promise given to all those who have been saved by the blood of Jesus found in John 10: 28-30 "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one." What greater assurance can we have than that ???

Q2A. (Colossians 1:15b-17) What does "firstborn of all creation/every creature" mean? Is Jesus a created being? If not, what does "firstborn" mean here? The biblical expression "firstborn of all creation does not mean Jesus was first created being but that Christ Jesus is superior over all creations and sum total of all things created. Q2B. What do verses 16-17 teach about Jesus' pre-existence? The verses in Colossians 1:16-17 teach us that Jesus existed before all creation, Q2C. (Colossians 1:15b-17) What does verse 16b teach about the purpose of creation? The verses in Colossians 1:16b teach us all things were created by Him and for Him, Q2D. (Colossians 1:15b-17) According to verse 17, what is Jesus' past role in creation? What is his present role in creation? According to verse 17, Jesus' past role in creation is that He is the Creator of all things in Heaven and on Earth. His present role in creation is that all things created are held together by Him and for Him.

Q1A. (Colossians 1:15a, 19) The great understanding of Judaism was that God is spirit, not physical. That he is invisible. Any idol that tries to depict him is blasphemous. So what is the significance of the statement that Jesus is "the image of the invisible God"? The significance of the statement that Jesus is the "image of the invisible God" is that Jesus of Nazarath was more than great teacher, more than a healer and worker or "great man" founding a world religion . Jesus Christ is image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. Q1B. (Colossians 1:15a, 19) According to verse 19, to what degree does this image accurately represent God? ] The image of God written in verse 19 accurately represents God in all His fullness. Q1C. (Colossians 1:15a, 19) Is Jesus actually God in the flesh, or only a manifestation of God, a kind of holograph* ? Jesus is not a holigram -a three-dimensional image reproduced from a pattern of interference but the Word that became flesh that made His dwelling among us and made known to us in all His glory full of Grace and Truth,the glory of the One and Only true Savior, Redeemer, Messiah and God.

Q5a. (Colossians 1:13-14)What are the two qualities mentioned in verse 14 that characterize the "kingdom of his beloved Son"? Redemption and Forgiveness of past, present and future sins. Q5b. (Colossians 1:13-14)What did the idea of redemption mean in the Greek? buying back a slave or captive by payment of a randsom Q5c. (Colossians 1:13-14)In what way did Christ "redeem" us? Christ's death on the Cross and his shed blood for us randsommed us from slavery and physical and spiritual death to a glorious promise of life eternal in the Kingdom of Our Lord and Savior. Q5d. (Colossians 1:13-14)What is the significance of the fact that our sins are forgiven in this kingdom? We were freed from the obligation, pardoned, pain, suffering and punishment for our sins.

Q4a. (Colossians 1:12-13) What are the three or four action verbs in verses 12 and 13 that paint a picture of salvation? 1. Qualified (by Christ ) 2. Rescued (from death via salvation into life eternal ) 3. Brought (from the kingdom of darkness into Kingdom of God's Son ) 4. Forgiven ( completely pardoned from punishment for our sins ) Q4b.(Colossians 1:12-13) Who performs the action? God Q4c. Colossians 1:12-13) Who is it performed on? we sinners Q4d. Colossians 1:12-13) In what way were we "qualified/enabled/made meet"? by Christ Q4e.(Colossians 1:12-13) In what way were we "rescued" or "delivered"? By Salvation from physical and spiritual death and condemnation into eternal life with Christ in the Kingdom of Light/

Q3a. (Colossians 1:12-13) Why does Paul use the terms darkness and light to portray his readers past and future? Q3a. Paul uses the term of the reader's darkness and past to mean our lives before salvation, redemption and life in Christ Jesus that were filled with self-satisfying and self-defined truths and dark and hopeless life in the world living only to seek power, fame, evil desires of the flesh we defined as love, ruled by money and greed, lieing and cheating and living only for our own desires and needs and answerering to no one but ourselves. Paul then used the term of the readers of hope for "the light" and future to explain a new life "reborn" when we accept Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior, asking for forgiveness of our sins and redemption through Him. A new life filled with hope, peace, true love of God, strength and truth of the Gospel and joy living in Jesus and Jesus within us. We now are accountable and answerable to our Lord, making decisions and paths affecting our lives that honor our Lord and righteous and honorable lives and bring honor and glory and praise to Him. We live our lives being a shining example to the world of His neverending and unconditional love, peace and truth to others so they may see Him through us and us living righteously in Him and giving love and unconditional acceptance, as Jesus does to and for us, to all the people our lives touch . Q3b. (Colossians 1:12-13) Why does he remind them where they came from? Paul reminds us of where we came from to remind us that through Jesus and being reborn in Him and He in us, we are no longer filled with self-satisfying and self-defined truths, dark and hopeless life in the world filled with sin and evil desires of the flesh but we are now to live our "reborn" lives seeking, guided and directed by God's will, living a life worthy and pleasing to God in every way. Our calling is to bearing fruit for His kingdom sharing the Gospel of salvation, redemption, unconditional love and acceptance in and for God to all people of the world our lives touch. We are to grow now in the knowlege of God and of His Holy Word, being strenghtened by the will and power of God against sin, evil desires of the flesh and temptation and forces of Satan. We now are empowered by great endurance and patience, thankfulnes and joy through Christ Jesus to overcome all obstacles and pain and suffering so that we can exist in the world to share with the dark world we live and exist in so that they see what lives are like living in Him and Him in us. We are always to be joyfully giving thanks always to our Heavenly Father and Lord Jesus for extending His hand to us and offering us the great and glorious gift of salvation and redemption and through the shed blood of Christ, God sees our sins no more and we are saints in His heavenly kingdom never to fear the sting of death ever again. . Q3c. (Colossians 1:12-13) "the inheritance of the saints in light" that he mentions? Pauls description of "the inheritance of the saints in light" refers to that being "reborn" in Him, our inheritance is look forward to be saints in Kingdom of God and to a future of eternal life with our Lord and Savior in heaven and His glorious kingdom that will reign forever. a Q3d. In verse 13 we find two terms used of governing bodies? How are they contrasted in verse 13? In what sense are subjects "governed" in each? Pauls reference to the kindom of darkness is the kingdom ruled by Satan in this world filled with greed, sin, darkness, hopelessness, evil desires of the flesh and no truth to be guided by or answer to except to our own "self-satisfying and deceiptful needs and desires. Pauls reference to the glorioua "kingdom of Light" is the kingdom ruled by and guided by our God and Savior Christ Jesus, filled with unconditional love and hope and acceptance, strength and endurance. Our souls redeemed by His precious blood , our sins seen no more, and everlasting forgiveness when we fall short of Him and living to bring Him the honor, glory and praise and living our lives by His holy word and Holy truth worthy of Him and bring Him joy in the fruits and love we produce in His kingdom and share to others so they too may desire the God they see in us and us in Him.

Pastor Ralph, on 08 April 2010 - 02:49 PM, said: Q2. (Colossians 1:9-12a) What are the elements of Paul

Q1. Paul glorifies the gospel, the good news. What words does he use to describe the action of the gospel in verses 5 and 6? Paul uses "bearing fruit", "living and active", "growing", and "shedding an understanding of God's grace in all its truth" to describe the action of the gospel in Colossians 1:5-6 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q1a. Given the temptation the recipients have to adopt another religious philosophy, why do you think he reminds them of the world scope of the gospel

Good April morning to all. My name is Eric. I am married to my best friend and partner in life, Carol. We live in Breinigsville, Pennsylvania on the East coast of the US. I am a Messianic Jew (also known as a "completed Jew") who accepts Jesus as my Lord, the promised Messiah, Savior, and God's Son. Through the grace of my Lord Christ Jesus He extended His hand to me and 11 wonderful years ago I gave my heart and soul to Him who loves me the best and without reservation, Christ Jesus. I and Carol are so looking forward to this study in Colossians and Philemon so that God will draw us closer in knowledge and truth to Him. I am also looking to fellowship with you all. May God bless all our efforts in His Holy and Righteous name.