Sola scriptura (Latin ablative, "by scripture alone") is the declaration that the Bible as God's written word is self-authenticating, infallible and inerrant, expressed clearly to the reasonable reader, its own interpreter ("Scripture interprets Scripture"), and sufficient of itself to be the final authority of the teachings of the Christian religion.
As a Christian, I believe in the inerrancy of Scripture because all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16). Scripture alone is the formal principle of the faith, the final authority for all matters of faith and morals because of its inspiration, authority, clarity, efficacy, and sufficiency.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
The importance and relevance of the Historical Jesus to the Divinity of Christ.
The atoning death of the Historical Jesus is truly available for us today. The death on the cross, and resurrection of Jesus after three days, two thousand years ago is a significant moment in history and it is not mere mythology. The Historical Jesus is the Son of God reincarnate. He proclaimed the coming of the Kingdom of God, and performed many signs, miracles, and wonders. The affirmation of the Historical Jesus as the Way simply means to acknowledge that he shows us who God is and how God acts in the world. I am convinced on the importance and relevance of the Historical Jesus to the Divinity of Christ. He is the all-encompassing Truth of God, a truth that is personal, active, relational, and gracious.
Monday, January 25, 2010
"If God exist, what would be the description or idea of God?"
I personally believe God exist by faith. There are many good and wonderful attributes in my God. I would like to focus on one attribute that is love. I know my God to be a loving God. John 3:16 tells me, “For God so loved the world, he gave his one and only begotten, that whoever believes in him may not perish but have eternal life.” My God is a God of love because he was willing to pay the price for us two thousand years ago when he died on the cross for our sins.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Is the Pre-Tribulational and Pre-Millenial position of the Assemblies of God tenable?
According to the New Bible Dictionary, the great bulk of the biblical references to tribulation are to sufferings endured by the people of God. All the tribulations of the Messianic people stand in this light. The tribulations of the people of Christ are eschatological; i.e. they belong to the last age, the kingdom of the end time (Mt 24:9-14; Rev 1:9; 7:14).
We will now take a look at the definition of the Pre-Tributional and the Pre-Millenial according to the 16 Fundamental Truths of the Assemblies of God. The 13th Fundamental Truth states the Pre–Tribulational is the Blessed Hope which is the resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord is the imminent and blessed hope of the church. (1 Thes 4:16, 17)
The 14th Fundamental Truth of the Assemblies of God tells us the second coming of Christ includes the rapture of the saints, which is our blessed hope, followed by the visible return of Christ with His saints to reign on earth for one thousand years. (Rev 20:1-6) This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel (Rom 11:26-27) and the establishment of universal peace. (Micah 4:3-4)
We, as born-again, Spirit-filled, believers in Jesus Christ feel the closeness of the end, just as the Apostle Paul did. However, that is mostly because we long for Him to come as a bride does for the groom. As it is, Christ, in His mercy may not come for a long time yet. We don’t know the day or the hour - but we have the hope of the Rapture when we will be taken up with Christ and will receive our reward, every saved person according to what they deserve.
We will now take a look at the definition of the Pre-Tributional and the Pre-Millenial according to the 16 Fundamental Truths of the Assemblies of God. The 13th Fundamental Truth states the Pre–Tribulational is the Blessed Hope which is the resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord is the imminent and blessed hope of the church. (1 Thes 4:16, 17)
The 14th Fundamental Truth of the Assemblies of God tells us the second coming of Christ includes the rapture of the saints, which is our blessed hope, followed by the visible return of Christ with His saints to reign on earth for one thousand years. (Rev 20:1-6) This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel (Rom 11:26-27) and the establishment of universal peace. (Micah 4:3-4)
We, as born-again, Spirit-filled, believers in Jesus Christ feel the closeness of the end, just as the Apostle Paul did. However, that is mostly because we long for Him to come as a bride does for the groom. As it is, Christ, in His mercy may not come for a long time yet. We don’t know the day or the hour - but we have the hope of the Rapture when we will be taken up with Christ and will receive our reward, every saved person according to what they deserve.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
2. Is Pentecostal spirituality healthy, vibrant and on the cutting
Is Pentecostal spirituality healthy, vibrant and on the cutting
edge today or is it dissipating? Evaluate, analyze and explain your
conclusion.
I sadly believe Pentecostal spirituality is dissipating today because the majority of the Churches of the Assemblies of God (AOG) Malaysia are not encouraging Christians to desire and exercise the gift of speaking in tongues during their weekly Sunday services. The common excuse we hear from Pastors is they do not want to frighten away the unbelievers from Church. Consequently, there is also a lack of teaching and emphasis on the baptism of the Holy Spirit as evidenced by speaking in tongues for believers. Many Christians today are afraid or ashamed to speak and pray in tongues. They have to be personally encourage to speak in tongues. In conclusion, my personal opinion and observation is Pentecostal spirituality is dissipating from the majority of the Malaysian AOG Churches.
edge today or is it dissipating? Evaluate, analyze and explain your
conclusion.
I sadly believe Pentecostal spirituality is dissipating today because the majority of the Churches of the Assemblies of God (AOG) Malaysia are not encouraging Christians to desire and exercise the gift of speaking in tongues during their weekly Sunday services. The common excuse we hear from Pastors is they do not want to frighten away the unbelievers from Church. Consequently, there is also a lack of teaching and emphasis on the baptism of the Holy Spirit as evidenced by speaking in tongues for believers. Many Christians today are afraid or ashamed to speak and pray in tongues. They have to be personally encourage to speak in tongues. In conclusion, my personal opinion and observation is Pentecostal spirituality is dissipating from the majority of the Malaysian AOG Churches.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
2. Am I a Pentecostal or Charismatic or Third Wave? A reflection of my
I am a Pentecostal and have been attending the Assemblies of God’s (AOG) Church for the last 15 years ever since I was saved. AOG in Malaysia hold to the doctrine of baptism in the Holy Spirit by initial evidence of speaking in tongues (glossolalia). I was baptized in the Holy Spirit in October 1997 as evidenced by speaking in tongues while attending a Sunday church service.
I believe in the experienced presence of the third person of the trinity that is the Holy Spirit and in the active involvement of the Holy Spirit in everyday life, including signs and wonders, divine healing, prophecy, speaking in tongues and other manifestations of the Spirit’s presence.
I believe in the experienced presence of the third person of the trinity that is the Holy Spirit and in the active involvement of the Holy Spirit in everyday life, including signs and wonders, divine healing, prophecy, speaking in tongues and other manifestations of the Spirit’s presence.
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