I keep seeing this quoted as the way to tell a true Christian. But I have not figured out which religion this belongs to. I can always tell a JW, LDS, Church of Christ, and many other religions, but this one has baffled me. Anyone recognize it as a tell tale sign?  Personally, I'd like to know how much poison they are out drinking daily.\n\nThe verse is from Matthew 18:\nAND THESE SIGNS WILL ACCOMPANY THOSE WHO BELIEVE: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; {18} they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."
120987
A little clarification regarding snakes and poisons... \n\nTo willfully do such things is testing God. However, if you look in Acts when Paul was bitten by the incredibly venemous viper, he did not die. In fact, the people of Malta wanted to worship him as a god. Paul set them straight--it was just a sign that what he was saying is true.\nWhat this scripture is saying is that when you are working for Him, you are invincible until it is time for you to come home. The movie End of the Spear will show you how God can use one brother's death to save an entire people. Other times, like Paul, saving from death can do wonders for faith. So be careful with such verses and don't go drinking Draino to prove your saved. You might see God quicker than you anticipate.
545452
The more they hear about the Holy Word of God, the love of Jesus and the cleansing atoning blood available for their sins, the more their spirits are stirred up! It's not personal really! Satan has always hated truth but hopefully someone may be won to Christ when they have tried all this world has to offer and find no fulfilment, they may remember the truth and turn to Him! Thanks for giving me an easy question!
259163
well I like this potion in the bible Jeremaiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. and also Rom 8:31-\n31What can we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32Since God did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't God, who gave us Christ, also give us everything else?\n    33Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? Will God? No! He is the one who has given us right standing with himself. 34Who then will condemn us? Will Christ Jesus? No, for he is the one who died for us and was raised to life for us and is sitting at the place of highest honor next to God, pleading for us.\n\n    35Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death? 36(Even the Scriptures say, "For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep."[l]) 37No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.\n\n    38And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. 39Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.\n\nI love this passages it keeps me going knowing that the Lord has something good for me and He is always there for me also no matter what I am going thru be it as a result of my mistake or something I have to go thru, I know it that nothing can separet mew from The Love of God and I mean nothing
70036
Well something about these quotes really disturbs me...\n\n"Over one million people worship the devil as a religion."  Really?  Prove it.  I want to see where you got your IMPARTIAL information.\n\n"Anyone who does not believe in God is a sinner and rebuked God when they heard the good news."  So this is what you are saying.  Before you tell these people about your god they are safe because your god is not known to them.  If, however; you tell them about your god and they refuse to believe your "good news of the lord" they are condemned to hell.  Why tell them in the first d@amned place then if you know they are going to go to hell for refusing your god!?\n\n"Lives we can never change"....yeah? tell that the people you just condemned to hell for refusing to believe in your god.\n\n..."and we have an understanding of what is good and bad in our conscience."  Well let me see, you just told a bunch of people who were enjoying their lives without your god and who were safe from the wrath of your god until you told them about your god by condemning them to hell for refusing to believe in your god. How is telling people who don't know your god a good thing again please?\n\n"we all have a sense of survivl instinct."  It's spelled S-U-R-V-I-V-A-L, you idiot. \n\n"Yes things in our culture have been disintergrated because of simple minded people not knowing the facts before they say or do things before the think"...welcome to the Disintegration Club, genius.\n\n==============\n\n...and then there's this one...\n\n==============\n\n“HELLO! "thou shalt not suffer a witch to live...."\n\n"I'M NOT SAYING KILL ALL THE WITCHES.....what I AM saying is God does not approve of witchcraft...”  { Rather than me going off here I think I will just dust off something that Fiona Broome wrote and place it here regarding that little statement}: \n\nThou shalt not suffer a witch to live...? \nedited by Fiona Broome\n\nPeople often ask about the famous line in the Bible, "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live." (Exodus 22:18) \n\nIt's important to do your own research. However, here's what I've found so far: \n\nJames I was notorious for being paranoid about witches, spells, and so on. This was, in part, due to volatile politics of the time. He had good reason to be nervous. \n\n"His" Bible (the King James Bible) was translated to keep Jamie-boy happy, so they translated the word chasaph--which is Hebrew for poisoner (or, in other contexts, herbalist)-- to mean "witch" instead. \n\nThe real Biblical passage was about the disturbing crime of poisoning in the Jewish community. When that line was originally written, there may have been recent poisonings. Some historians point to this. \n\nHere's an early document, written around 1580 at the time of King James I, protesting the translation of chasaph as "witch." \n\n(And when goode King James discovered what Reginald Scot had said in this book, James first wrote his own book, Daemonologie, a rebuttal to Scot's. Then James ordered his men to find every copy of Scot's book and burn them. It \nwas too late. The Scot book was already in its third printing, widely distributed, and nine more chapters had been added.)\n\n  \nFrom The Discoverie of Witchcraft by Reginald Scot. \n  \nBOOKE VI \n  \nChapter I - The exposition of this Hebrue word Chasaph, wherein is answered the objection conteined in Exodus 22. to wit: Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live, and of Simon Magus. Acts. 8. \n  \n(page 64) Chaspah, being a Hebrue word, is Latined Veneficium, and  is in English, poisoning, or witchcraft; if you will so have it. The Hebrue sentence written in Exodus, 22. is by the 70. interpretors translated thus \n  into Greeke, [note: I'll fill this in when I have a Greek font and more time], which in Latine is, \n  \n\n  Veneficos (sive) veneficas non
171652
If you lie down with dogs, you rise up with fleas?  The Bible says that God does not cast his pearls before swine, meaning that you must prove yourself worthy before knowing some divine information the Church shares with you.  That might be the Book of Mormon, I'm not sure.  I'm not very brushed up on it.  My boyfriend's family is mormon, so I hear about it.  Believe me....I hear about it.
209604
Scott, I do agree with you.  However, I do find things like this to be very interesting, and it is amazing to find how some things do relate to each other symbolically.  I'm not entirely sure of the accuracy of these, but I think that they are correct.  \n\n1=God, begining, source, unity, first.\n2=number of witness (in the mouth of two or more witnesses), friendship\n3=Godhead, trinity, divine completness, perfect testimony\n4=number of earth, creation, world, four gospels, four winds, four seasons, four corners of the earth.  \n5=grace, atonement(this is probably the meaning you were referencing), life, the cross, five-fold ministeries. \n6=number of man, beast, satan, idol.\n7=perfectio, completness, number of book of Revelation, finished, day of rest, (used 600 times in the Bible)\n8=resurrection, new beginings, put on new man.\n9=harvest, ministry, fullness, friutfullness, number of gifts of the Holy Spirit(maybe that are mentioned???), number of birthing(baby born in 9 months).\n10=number of law, order, government, restoration, antichrist kingdom, trial, testing, responsibiblity, tithe\n11=incompletness, disorganization, disintegration, disorder, lawlessness, need for apostolic fullness (11 apostles after Judas hanged himself).\n12=divine government, apostolic fullness.\n13=rebellion/backsliding, apostacy\n14=passover\n15=spiritual order\n16=free spirit, without bounderies, without limitation, without law therefore without sin ROMANS 4:15, salvation.\n17=spiritual void\n18=put on jugdment, destruction, captivity, overcome put on spririt of Christ (Judges 10:7-8, Luke 13:4, 3:11, 16)\n19=barren, repentant, ashamed, selflessness, without self rightousness (2 Samuel 2:30, Romans 6:21).\n20= can either mean holy, tried and approved or unholy and found wanting.\n24=priestly courses, govermental perfection\n30=consecration, maturity for ministry(I would guess this is because Jesus began His ministry at age 30)\n40=probation, testing, ending in victory or defeat.\n50=number of pentecost, liberty, freedom, jubilee.\n70=prior to increase of representive of a multitude.\n75=number of separation, cleansing, purification.\n100=fullness, full measure, full recompense, full reward, ect. (Genesis 26:12, Mark :10:30)\n120=end of all flesh, beginning of life in the Spirit.\n124=number of God's ultimate in creation and redemption.\n163=number of God's electm revival, ingathering, harvest.\n300=number of faithful remnant.\n666=antichrist, satan, beast.\n1000=maturity, full stature (Isaiah 17:33,5, Ephesians 4:13)\n\nThese are the numbers that I know of, I'm not sure of the valitidy of all of them, but I hope this helps!  These are fun to look at tho, even tho they aren't the whole purpose of the Bible, keep that in mind.  But is IS interesting to see how things weave together, and it is another proof that the Bible was inspired by God, not randomly written by a bunch of different men.  \n\n2 Timothy 3:16\n\n  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training is righteousness.\n\n\nGod bless!!
540754
There's a passage of Scripture that speaks of how "A LITTLE wine is good for the infirmities of the stomach", and the Bible speaks openly of it's SYMBOLISM involving purity. Therefore, I would say, don't drink it in excess, for being drunk displeases God and damages the Temple (us) in which He wants to dwell.
120323
I'm not totally sure that these people's actions are fully from God. Not to be like anti-God or anything please don't assume, but Satan also has powers that influence people and can eventually take over their lives. Being a Christian, I don't believe that these men are really doing what you think they are, but I'm not speaking for the whole Christian body, just for me. On the counter, there's nowhere in the Bible that says, "miracle healers are fake," but I can't believe that this is true. There is a passage in the Bible that talks about weak Christians (people who believe that they have to wear a certain thing, look a certain way, do certain things, etc. not saying that they aren't Christians, they are) and strong Christians, (who believe that we can come to Jesus as we are and that He is the sacrifice for our sins.) I think that these miracle healers are the weaker Christians and the strong Christians must help them see that they don't have to do that. They think that they have to heal and touch people to make them well, when really the miracle is from God. I hope that you can make sense of all this. This is a very difficult passage of Scripture to understand.
256238
I'm not going to presume to try and tell anyone whether it's right or wrong. Yes indeed, it does say in the Bible in the book of Leviticus that you should not mark yourself. And some folks will insist that if you have a tatoo then you're going to hell. But then again, taken in context, right before that verse is one that says you shouldn't cut the hair at your temples. To my knowledge there is only ONE group of people that follows that rule today, and they aren't Christian.\n\nAnd again, religious leaders in Jesus's time got terribly upset with Him because he kept breaking their rules for what you could and could not do on the Sabbath, and what was considered "work".\n\nTo answer this question for yourself, you'll have to examine your motives in getting the tatoo. Is there vanity involved? A need to provoke people? Or a simple, honest expression of faith and perhaps a way to steer the topic of conversation to a sharing of faith? What matters most is what's in your heart.
214348
Jesus said the Kingdom of Heaven is found within. He also said to spread the Good News. Threatening people with everlasting torment if they don't believe is NOT spreading the Good News. Those aren't Christians handing out leaflets! They are followers of a false prophet, wolves in sheep's clothing, and still very much in servitude to their own egoic luciferian self. What they are spreading is an anti Christ teaching. They are who Jesus warned about. They are FAKES.\n\nHeaven is where you land when you surrender personal will to God's Will; when the lower fear based nature is 'cast out' with the Light of the Holy Spirit. You don't have to die to be consciously present with and embodied by God. \n\nHell is what we get until we become harmless in God. We reap what we sow. When we cause harm, we suffer in the Hell of our own making.
313281
The brazen serpent is a symbol of Christ.  The children of Israel sinned by grumbling and complaining to God.  God sent snakes to bite them, and they became afflicted, ill, and even died.  God commanded that He make a brazen serpent, place it on a pole, and when the Israelites were bitten, they were to look upon the serpent on the pole for their healing.\n\nThe serpent is Christ.  As the serpent is the symbol of all that is evil and of sing.  Christ became a serpent in our place and was hung on the cross.  There is a scripture that says, Cursed is the man who hangs upon a tree.  He became our sin, our curse and our sickness.\n\nIt also shows us that Christ gave us healing by the cross as well as forgiveness and salvation.  The "looking upon"  was not just a glance up at the serpent on the pole, but a steadfast gazing upon it that brought healing.  They were not to focus on the bite they received, but upon the serpent upon the pole.  This also shows us that when we are sick, we are not to "focus" upon our afflictions and sicknesses, but focus upon the cross, and the one who became a serpent for us.  Look upon Him, and to Him, for healing.\n\nThis symbol is also the symbol of th American Medical Association.
102529
Your putting pretty high expectations on a man who started a religion after eating a poisonous mushroom and listening to a talking salamander...obviously, he must have been hallucinating!  Anything that adds to or takes away from the word of God, is not truly of God.Satan's biggest lie ever told was denying Jesus was crucified or that He was the Son of God....the very essence of our salvation. Jesus warned against false prophets that would come....He told us to test things in the Spirit-so we would know the truth from the lies.Remember, every knee shal bow and every tounge confess that Jesus Christ is Lord....I think was in Romans...so there will come a moment when Satan himself will have to be on bended knee confessing that! I'm pretty sure that was in Romans-I don't have my Bible with me right now.So, there will come that day! Until then...pray for those who don't know HIM.
267680
EDIT: I didnt have my Bible with me when I was at work yesterday, but I knew of some scripture I wanted to share with you, some that have helped me - I brought it today.\n\nEPHESIANS 6: 10-18\n10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.\n11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.\n12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.\n13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.\n14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;\n15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;\n16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.\n17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:\n18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;\n\n1 CORINTHIANS 10: 13\nThere hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.\n\nHEBREWS 2: 18\nFor in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.\n\n\nOne non-scripture book that I have read, "Putting on the Armor of God," provides practical expersices to build faith and strength in relying on the Lord, to see you through any manner of addiction.  This book helped save my life, in some ways.  I dealt with issues such as the one you described - related to pornography, among others, the addiction of drugs and alcohol.\nIt is written by an LDS author, but is meant for all, and is not full of missionary stuff to convert, only real life experiences, and a lot of study and prayer, and exersises for one to practice to learn to rely more wholly upon the healing and overcoming power of Christ.\nIt applies to recovering and obstaining from any addiction, and I highly suggest you read it.\nOne suggestion in the book, which I still use, is to make up some small cards and write some empowring scripture verses on them.  Carry them with you, and when you are tempted, you pull them out and read them.  This puts your mind on the things of God, causing the evil whisperings of Satan to dissapear, filling you with Gods Spirit and strength.  Just one mans suggestion.\nGod Bless you.\n\nhttp://lds.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=lds&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cedarfort.com%2Fcatalog%2F1555172830.html
341344
Great question.  \n\nI don't believe those verses apply to us.  Most (I think all, but I am not going to say that without having looked all of them up) of the verses where Jesus says "whatever you ask for in my name... etc.," Jesus was only with the twelve apostles.  This was a miraculous gift given to the apostles, not a promise for all of God's people.  \n\nGod does perform miracles sometimes in cases like this, but He usually just works on the spirits of men, where He is needed the most.\n\nI hope that God will pour out His healing on your situation, both physically and spiritually.  I pray that God will walk through this  with him, with you, and with all of those who love him, especially his 5 year old.  I know how hard it is not to blame God and be mad at God during times like this, but I assure you, God is also mad at the situation.  Disease is the result of sin (not his sin, mind you, but just sin in general), and it is not what God had planned for the world.  Yet, God has prepared a better place for those who love Him.  Thank goodness this world is not forever.\n\nMy heart goes out to you.  God bless.
630399
I disagree with tagi.  The Catholics bow down to a cement Christ on a cross.  if that isn't idolatry, I don't know what is.  If your friend was killed by a gun, would you wears one around your neck.  It is a good thing he wasn't trampled by an elephant.   We don't need physical symbols are signs to have us remember the sacrifice of Jesus.  if we do, then the level of our worship is on the surface and not the heart.  I have seen a lot of drug dealers and gang members wearing crosses.  What does that symbol remind them of?  The bible strictly forbids us to make any object in the likeness of Him or anything symbols at all.  the early Christians forbid their usage and the only reason they are used now is because of Constantine trying to unite he pagans and the Christians.  the cross was used by the pagans long before Christ.
395744
Actually, it makes perfect sense if you look at it as nothing more than a story meant to scare the superstitious herd, and keep them in line.\n\n"God promised to never do it again..." what crap.  This is a fail-safe, so that if the actual localized phenomenon never occurred again (and yes, it was local to the Euphrates region...check out the archaeological evidence), they can say, "See, god kept his word."
262470
i think there a sign of evil becus of my religion--hve u ever heard of the mark of the beast? i think tht it is just the begin of wht man wants...i wouldn't get one if i was u tho u never really kno......but thts my opinion......~1~real