@chaney3 saidThose were my words. Whose words did you think they were?
You have not adequately stated what YOU believe the controversy is.
Don't keep re-posting. Explain in YOUR words what you're trying to say.
@thinkofone saidEverything about your post screams.....screams.....that Jesus wants you to believe in God.
Those were my words. Whose words did you think they were?
That IS the controversy.
Which you will ignore.
And it IS on-topic.
@chaney3 saidLet's see.
Everything about your post screams.....screams.....that Jesus wants you to believe in God.
That IS the controversy.
Which you will ignore.
And it IS on-topic.
You wrote this:
The term "believe in Jesus" seems to bring controversy with it, and means different things to people.
I responded in part with this:
When Jesus was preaching His gospel He used the terms "believe Him" and "believe in Him" essentially in three different ways:
1) Believe that He has the authority to speak the word of God
2) Believe that His words are the word of God
3) Believe His words in and of themselves.
Jesus did NOT use them to mean to believe in the "redemptive work on the cross for salvation" or what have you. Although Jesus never says it, many Christians think that that's how Jesus used it. Such is the power of self-delusion.
The most important part by far is #3.
Reread what I wrote and have a think on it. Better yet, search for all passages wherein Jesus used the terms "believe Him" and "believe in Him" and compare them with what I wrote. If you find any discrepancies, post them here.
@thinkofone saidWhy don't you just clearly say what the hell your point is???
Let's see.
You wrote this:The term "believe in Jesus" seems to bring controversy with it, and means different things to people.
I responded in part with this:
[quote]When Jesus was preaching His gospel He used the terms "believe Him" and "believe in Him" essentially in three different ways:
1) Believe that He has the authority to speak the wor ...[text shortened]... "believe in Him" and compare them with what I wrote. If you find any discrepancies, post them here.
Lose the 007 spy mystery...okay???
@thinkofone said#2. Do you believe that Jesus' words are the word of God?
Let's see.
You wrote this:The term "believe in Jesus" seems to bring controversy with it, and means different things to people.
I responded in part with this:
[quote]When Jesus was preaching His gospel He used the terms "believe Him" and "believe in Him" essentially in three different ways:
1) Believe that He has the authority to speak the wor ...[text shortened]... "believe in Him" and compare them with what I wrote. If you find any discrepancies, post them here.
@thinkofone saidYou just don't like to talk about God, even when Jesus does in the verses you provided.
Like I said, "Evidently you're not interested in understanding the 'controversy'. My mistake."
Your insistence to do this is telling.
So, you love to quote Jesus, but ignore God. You cannot do both.
@chaney3 saidIn the gospel preached by Jesus during His ministry, He repeatedly emphasizes the importance of His word.
You just don't like to talk about God, even when Jesus does in the verses you provided.
Your insistence to do this is telling.
So, you love to quote Jesus, but ignore God. You cannot do both.
Understanding His word.
Not just understanding His word, but believing His word.
Not just believing His word, but following His word.
Not just following His word, but keeping His word.
Not just keeping His word, but abiding in His word.
Or if you want to look at it the other way around:
To abide in His word, one must keep His word.
To keep His word, one must follow His word.
To follow His word, one must believe His word.
To believe His word, one must understand His word.
If one understands His word, one WILL believe His word.
If one believes His word, one WILL follow His word.
If one follows His word, one WILL keep His word
If one keeps His word, one WILL abide in his word.
Those who keep and abide in the word of Jesus, truly "believe in" Jesus.
Those who do not keep and abide in the word of Jesus, do not truly "believe in" Jesus - no matter how much they may claim otherwise. Neither do they understand nor hear.