What defines a Man of God?

Originally posted by stardusttwin
I really don't want to get into this debate but I had to address this...




Actually this is INcorrect. While Jews and Muslims do observe the sabbath - Friday nite into Saturday Christians celebrate the new beginning, the New Testament which was given to us with Jesus' birth, death and resurrection-which occurred on SUNDAY (He was crucified and left in the tomb because of the observance of the Sabbath-when the women went to clean His body they discovered He had risen). Most Jews don't acknowledge the New Testament so they observe the rules and rituals as are listed in the Old Testament (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus)-the same bible that I read. Christians acknowledge that with Christ there was a new beginning and for us that brought new rules for living.

What is outlined in the Old Testament are rules to be followed under the OLD covenant which was between God and his chosen people-the Jews. Christians believe in the good news of the New Testament and as such observe the NEW covenant (between God and all). With Jesus's death the rules were changed...his death was THE ultimate sacrifice...no need to keep killing bulls and observing other rituals that HE himself practiced as a Jew BEFORE his death.

On a historical note...the early Christians were considered a sect (or denomination) of the Jews. They still observed the Sabbath and observed the numerous rules as listed in the Old Testament but believed that the Messiah they were waiting for had come. As the "movement" spread, other differences arose and the "sect" was no longer recognized by the Jews. To spread the word the new Christians began to codify the "New Testament" (writings from the apostles, letters from Paul). They believed that the new covenant was made possible because of Christ's death and resurrection. Christians celebrate this by worshiping on the first day of the week (Sunday). Because Christ died our sins were washed away and we don't have to make sacrifices or have someone intercede on our behalf anymore. So as believers of the new covenant we don't observe past holidays as outlined in the Old Testament such as Rosh Hassana (sp?) and Yom Kippor or observe the Sabbath as traditionally done by Jews who are still waiting for the Messiah to come and thus continue to operate on the old covenant, rules and regulations.

Its important to read the Bible as both a spiritual document (written with divine intervention) & as a historical one (taken into account the times it was written and what was culturally acceptable at the time). But as a practicing Christian its important to note that things were not randomly changed just for the heck of it.

stardusttwin thank you for sharing your knowledge.

This is the explanation that I've received as well.

I believe that to be the truth, regarding the Sabbath, as well.

Where did you first learn of this information?

[mccoyred]

I guess that I am with LadyGreek and LBF on this. GOD preceded Christianity......

Originally posted by laidbackfella


My initial question asked, "What is your definition of a Man of God?". Many Christians, as usual, ASSumed that all involved in this conversation approach it from a Christian background.

[Mz Destiny]

Originally posted by preachdawg
In the words of the Winans, No, NO,NO! Ladygreek to answer your question as a professing christian no you cannot have a "relationship" with God outside of what it truly means to be a Christian. As Icon has already qouted in John 14:6 Jesus is the way to have a relationship with the Father.

AAAAAAAAAMEN!!!

Originally posted by Iconoclastic
I am not going to continue to post on this subject. My website deals with how to be saved. Please go to the profile or bootm of my post. It is on the home page.

YOUR website.

THE Word.

I, personally, don't co-sign with your rhetoric about GLO's so why would go there to be innudated with your theories and teachings?

Saved, is not the topic at hand.

Man of God is.

Since Icon/Fred has bowed out of this conversation. Would anyone else care to enter a response to the three questions I posed?

Matters of Belief aren't always Christian based. If you have a missionary spirit you'd, Seek First To Understand, Then To Be Understood.

It's far easier to guide people to salvation when you hear their viewpoints and attempt to understand their frame of thinking. Rejecting or dismissing one's belief or views WITHOUT even asking for clarification makes the SPIRIT of any conversation one that is not inviting for those who are just beginning their Spiritual walk.

[ladygreek]

And I am still waiting for the answer to my second question.

[Love_Spell_6]

If anyone wants to PM me and discuss this issues in this thread, please feel free to do so. I feel discussions about Biblical concepts should only be done when they are fruitful...meaning people are trying to gain understanding. This thread is turning into a debate, and I am not going to "argue" with anyone about Christ. All of a sudden new rules and parameters have been set and people have been accused of ASSuming stuff. The Bible speaks for itself. For those who choose to design their own form of godliness or make up their own rules to live by, they can live with those consequences.

I am standing Titus 3.9 "But avoid foolish questions, and geneologies and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain."

LBF 2 Timothy 3.1-7 may be helpful to you

[ladygreek]

Originally posted by Love_Spell_6
If anyone wants to PM me and discuss this issues in this thread, please feel free to do so. I feel discussions about Biblical concepts should only be done when they are fruitful...meaning people are trying to gain understanding. This thread is turning into a debate, and I am not going to "argue" with anyone about Christ. All of a sudden new rules and parameters have been set and people have been accused of ASSuming stuff. The Bible speaks for itself. For those who choose to design their own form of godliness or make up their own rules to live by, they can live with those consequences.

I am standing Titus 3.9 "But avoid foolish questions, and geneologies and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain."

LBF 2 Timothy 3.1-7 may be helpful to you

I am not surprised that my "foolish" question has gone unanswered. I was trying to gain an understanding but I guess to you and the others, there is only one true understanding--yours. And if it is questioned that means we are heathens, or have established our own form of Godliness and will face certain consequences."

It is exactly this attitude that causes people to begin questioning things (like why is probably more than half of the world deemed to be "unsaved" because they do not recognize Jesus as the son of God) and hesitant to talk about why. Dogma has always been the bane and divider of our world. It's even sadder that it is done in the name of God.

Originally posted by Love_Spell_6
If anyone wants to PM me and discuss this issues in this thread, please feel free to do so. I feel discussions about Biblical concepts should only be done when they are fruitful...meaning people are trying to gain understanding. This thread is turning into a debate, and I am not going to "argue" with anyone about Christ. All of a sudden new rules and parameters have been set and people have been accused of ASSuming stuff. The Bible speaks for itself. For those who choose to design their own form of godliness or make up their own rules to live by, they can live with those consequences.

I am standing Titus 3.9 "But avoid foolish questions, and geneologies and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain."

LBF 2 Timothy 3.1-7 may be helpful to you

It's interesting that this should be your 666th post on Greekchat.

The only issue is your definition of Man of God. That is hardly a Biblical concept. Man of God is not an exclusive term to Christianity I wish people would show a little respect for the other viewpoints expressed here.

This debate or discussion can be very fruitful. But how can one be privy to another's viewpoint if tough questions aren't asked and addressed or their viewpoint is dismissed?

The actual Church Fight started when Icon/Fred and you, yourself provided commentary on MY definition of Man of God. Matthew 7.1 states, "Judge not, that ye be not judged". It's hard to determine the difference between Judging vs. Proclaiming.

Judging is providing your input about a situation, while Proclaiming is simply stating God's Judgement of a lifestyle.

These two comments seemed to be along the lines of judging and that simply was not needed:

here on 07-07-2004 05:58 AM

Originally posted by Iconoclastic
Allah,Vishnu, Jehovah, Buddha, etc. are not the same God, so someone has a personal relationship with a false god. God is not someone found in a Cracker Jack box.

and

here on 07-08-2004 12:34 PM

Originally posted by Love_Spell_6
This is the typical liberal and all inclusive view of religion that is very popular these days. To be a Christian means to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. So if you are not calling yourself a Christian..... then you're not professing Jesus Christ as the Way the Truth and the Life. I guess your re-introduction of self explains why you take the stance you do on many subjects..so its cool to see the thought process behind the posts. The word says to put no other god before him..and that you cannot serve two masters. And that the only way to the Father is through the son Jesus Christ.

Back to the original question posed in this thread..I believe a man of God professes the Living God, Jesus Christ as his source for everything...and the only True God.

Now if you can't answer questions or argue about Christ regardless of the other comments made then it makes me wonder about your spirit. I've asked three straight forward questions you could simply ignore anything you perceive as extra.

Yea, I did ask y'all to respect some parameters cuz I, personally, don't know what you are quoting. I'm not a scholar of the bible. In my "Q and A" thread which you've referred to in other threads, I simply anser the question and provide supporting documentation in that response if need be. I don't send people outside of my thread to qualify something I've provided the answer to. My thoughts are If YOU say it, YOU should support it.

No Second Timothy isn't real helpful to me, cuz it's been shown to me time and time again that most devils have a deeper knowledge of the scripture written in the Bible than I do. That's how they are able to cultivate the masses to their cults and causes.

Peace Be With You In All That You Do

[Tom Earp]

True Truth?

You profess Truth!

You supposedly are a "MAN of GOD".

I find you arogant to a point of idioticy and self egotisim.

Jesus, was supposedly the beginning of Christianity, ergo the name Christian. Christ The Son. The living being of God as We today know it.

There many cultures who professed a God of Supreme being long before Jesus came upon the scene. Were they not The Children of The God You so profess? Or, maybe Heathens all!

Your rantings make you sound like an Bible Thumping self indulgent idiot of Supreme unimportance! What Tent do you preach under, yell and hollar at?

God let me keep trying to love people such as this demented person. Or not!

[ladygreek]

Originally posted by Iconoclastic
You see, it is not that I hate you or greeks personally, it's the philosphies and doctrines they teach.

[Senusret I]

I read something this week that said something to the tune of

"If you're not studying your bible with a concordance and an understanding of the history, psychology, and sociology of the time period, then you're not studying the bible...you're worshipping it."

That may have been on GC, it may have been in an email, I don't remember.

But I am with those who believe in the God who precedes man's written word.

And to answer the question, a man of God is defined by his actions. Any man with virtue is a man of God in my book, even if he is atheist. God, to me, is that guiding force that makes us want to do right. And that's enough for me.

Originally posted by Iconoclastic
What I am posting here is very relavent as to what makes a man of God. Teliing the truth in season and out of season. No they do not have a relationship with God. For muslims it is obvious becasue Allah and Jehovah are different. Jehovah is real. Jews believe in Jehovah, but reject His Son. Read II John Many but not all!

All men must come to the Father through Christ. There is no other way. John 14:6 Look at all other religions and Christianity. Only one believes in a bodily resurrected Savior I Corinthians 15, who gave the Ultimate sacrifice for others Four Gospels and Romans 5, who proved His identity( John 2, the resurrection itself), promises to return (Acts 1), establish His kingdom (Gospels, Revelation), etc.

Now what other religion makes such claims? NONE!!! Because they cannot. And let me say that anyone who wants to or even dares to deny the Historical Reliability of these statements will search their whole lives seeing that Jesus was just as real as any other person in history.
Just ask Simon Greenleaf, or go to this link: http://www.svroswell.com/resources/j...gothergods.doc

So Ladygreek, ALL, Hindu, Muslim, Jew, Buddhist, Mormon, Jehovah Witness, Catholic, etc. must all repent, or will likewise perish. Luke 13:3 That includes you and me. You see, it is not that I hate you or greeks personally, it's the philosphies and doctrines they teach. My number is on my website Ladygreek. I am a grown man in no mood to argue, but get to the root of TRUTH.

Fred what church are you affiliated with? Because your theories are so exclusive and intolerant. I'd be interested to now what others in the area have to say about your church.

You sound like a Mad Christian. Not one showing his love for his god through his actions but busy condemning those who don't believe what he believes.

Again I noticed the interepretations but lack of relevant scripture. Sounds Trash Cannish Preachy to me.

Fred/Icon had you ever believed in any religion other than Christianity? Because it's statements like these that make me wonder about your study of ANYTHING other than Christianity.

All men must come to the Father through Christ. There is no other way. John 14:6 Look at all other religions and Christianity. Only one believes in a bodily resurrected Savior I Corinthians 15, who gave the Ultimate sacrifice for others Four Gospels and Romans 5, who proved His identity( John 2, the resurrection itself), promises to return (Acts 1), establish His kingdom (Gospels, Revelation), etc.

Now what other religion makes such claims? NONE!!! Because they cannot. And let me say that anyone who wants to or even dares to deny the Historical Reliability of these statements will search their whole lives seeing that Jesus was just as real as any other person in history.

It's the bolded that concerns me the most. Are other religions basing their credibility on what Christianity says? Better yet is Christianity (and more to the point YOUR mission) basing it's credibility on debasing other religions (and GLO's)?

That's what you seem to be determined to do. You don't really spread the word when you are on here you simply denounce this and rebuke that.

I'd like to see you enlighten people about the word. Just THE WORD. Leave your agendas at the door. Come on Rev. Hatch can't you just teach for the sake of sharing the wisdom of the word? I'd listen.

Honestly I would. But when you condemn and chastize people why would I want to try and decipher the sermon from the scolding?

[msn4med1975]

Originally posted by Iconoclastic
Call me Ladygreek! I know your frustration. I witness to people about this all of the time.

I think you missed the point of the confusion. Your statement about DOCTRINE being taught by GLOs is far fetched. Yes members are educated about their organization but they are not taught how to view the world by associating with any particular fraternity or sorority. At least I wasn't. Again you are entitled to you opinion but I'll have to agree with LBF on this one. If you want to study the Bible and share scripture, I LOVE to read the Bible. If you want to condemn the vast majority of the world for thinking that they can have a direct connection to God then I'll read in private.


IMO: A man of God is not the one proclaiming it from the rooftops it's one who does what he should and what he can to aid others and better himself. His words aren't needed because his actions prove his faith daily. People seek him out not because he made them ashamed of what they weren't doing but because they wanted to do more of what he WAS doing.

[reddawn18]

Originally posted by msn4med1975


IMO: A man of God is not the one proclaiming it from the rooftops it's one who does what he should and what he can to aid others and better himself. His words aren't needed because his actions prove his faith daily. People seek him out not because he made them ashamed of what they weren't doing but because they wanted to do more of what he WAS doing.

First and foremost, I am not in any GLO but I am no stranger to Greek Life. But I will like to say this, My father was a preacher and some of the things Icon is saying is very reminiscent of him. Things that he didn't understand he would say is the devil's work. And he called himself a Man of God.

The thing is that as humans we are all flawed. We must find our own ways to the lord and his goodness. What is your path is not necessary the path that God has chosen for, per say, me. That is something he couldn't understand and I believe that is your problem Icon.

Maybe you are a true man of God. That is something none of us can prove. But as a child of God, he can only tell an individual of his or her path. Not you. Not any one.

I've been following this conversation and it seems to me like you, Icon, have an agenda. If you do, that is cool. Just tell us and this whole situation will be closed. Alot of things you are saying are shallow and are only convincing if you don't know the lord for yourself.

ETA: I consign with Msn4Med's definition of a Man of God. Do you for fit the bill, Icon?

LBF, your questions are valid. Its a shame that Icon can not give you or anyone else in this discussion a straight answer.

[ladygreek]

Originally posted by Iconoclastic
Call me Ladygreek! I know your frustration. I witness to people about this all of the time.

Um those were looks of confusion re: your comment about GLO teachings. I am not frustrated, but thanks for the offer. My late grandfather, PhD Div., Pastor, Man of God, Phi Beta Sigma and PHA Mason calmed my frustrations a long time ago.