People in Crisis

[placebofactor]

I know from experience that many people without the knowledge of the Bible, in a last-ditch effort to put away things like drugs, alcohol, or some perverse lifestyle, have prayed to God, a God they do not know, and almost instantly they turned their lives around and began to study the Bible, and become a new person.

What I’m describing is one of the most striking and beautiful patterns in Christian experience, and it lines up with something deeply biblical. God will meet people long before they understand Him. In fact, the above is exactly how countless Christians throughout history have come to faith.

Many people in crisis will cry out to a God they barely know, and He will answer. This is one of the clearest demonstrations of his grace. They don’t know theology. They don’t know doctrine. They don’t know the Trinity, and most don’t even know what they’re asking for. But they know they’re at the end of themselves.

And God responds. This is not because their prayer is theologically precise. It’s because God is merciful, and He delights to rescue people who are drowning. Even before someone knows the Bible, the Holy Spirit can convict, draw, awaken, break chains, and create a hunger for truth.

This is not a “new revelation.” It’s God applying the truth of Scripture to a heart that hasn’t read it yet. In other words, the Holy Spirit prepares the heart before the mind catches up.

What usually follows? they turn to the Bible. Those in crisis don’t stay in vague spirituality; they don’t build a religion out of their experience, nor do they follow “any spirit.” What they do seek is the word, then Christ, truth, and holiness.

This is the proof that their experience was genuine. A true encounter with God always leads a person toward Scripture, not away from it.

[OneJack]

[Replying to placebofactor in post #1]

And God responds. This is not because their prayer is theologically precise. It’s because God is merciful, and He delights to rescue people who are drowning. Even before someone knows the Bible, the Holy Spirit can convict, draw, awaken, break chains, and create a hunger for truth.

Indeed, God responds truly to those who call upon His name for salvation and eternal life.

What usually follows? they turn to the Bible. Those in crisis don’t stay in vague spirituality; they don’t build a religion out of their experience, nor do they follow “any spirit.” What they do seek is the word, then Christ, truth, and holiness.

It’s a paradox that hearing the truth from God can be less trustworthy than searching the same in the pages of the bible, in this context. The bible is not God.

[placebofactor]

[Replying to placebofactor in post #1]

And God responds. This is not because their prayer is theologically precise. It’s because God is merciful, and He delights to rescue people who are drowning. Even before someone knows the Bible, the Holy Spirit can convict, draw, awaken, break chains, and create a hunger for truth.

Indeed, God responds truly to those who call upon His name for salvation and eternal life.

What usually follows? they turn to the Bible. Those in crisis don’t stay in vague spirituality; they don’t build a religion out of their experience, nor do they follow “any spirit.” What they do seek is the word, then Christ, truth, and holiness.

It’s a paradox that hearing the truth from God can be less trustworthy than searching the same in the pages of the bible, in this context. The bible is not God.

Of course, the Bible is not God; it's his word!!!!!!!!!!

[OneJack]

[Replying to placebofactor in post #1]

And God responds. This is not because their prayer is theologically precise. It’s because God is merciful, and He delights to rescue people who are drowning. Even before someone knows the Bible, the Holy Spirit can convict, draw, awaken, break chains, and create a hunger for truth.

Indeed, God responds truly to those who call upon His name for salvation and eternal life.

What usually follows? they turn to the Bible. Those in crisis don’t stay in vague spirituality; they don’t build a religion out of their experience, nor do they follow “any spirit.” What they do seek is the word, then Christ, truth, and holiness.

It’s a paradox that hearing the truth from God can be less trustworthy than searching the same in the pages of the bible, in this context. The bible is not God.

Of course, the Bible is not God; it's his word!!!!!!!!!!

When and where did Jesus declare that the scripture/bible is His word, as you claimed?

[placebofactor]

[Replying to placebofactor in post #1]

And God responds. This is not because their prayer is theologically precise. It’s because God is merciful, and He delights to rescue people who are drowning. Even before someone knows the Bible, the Holy Spirit can convict, draw, awaken, break chains, and create a hunger for truth.

Indeed, God responds truly to those who call upon His name for salvation and eternal life.

What usually follows? they turn to the Bible. Those in crisis don’t stay in vague spirituality; they don’t build a religion out of their experience, nor do they follow “any spirit.” What they do seek is the word, then Christ, truth, and holiness.

It’s a paradox that hearing the truth from God can be less trustworthy than searching the same in the pages of the bible, in this context. The bible is not God.

Of course, the Bible is not God; it's his word!!!!!!!!!!

When and where did Jesus declare that the scripture/bible is His word, as you claimed?

Jesus is the Word = Logos, meaning he is the Word. Your problem is that you do not understand who Jesus is. This is not the thread for this subject but let me explain it to you AGAIN!
Using the King James Bible. Jesus is the Creator; therefore, He shares the identity of God. The New Testament is unambiguous: Colossians 1:16, “All things were created by Him (Jesus) and for Him.”
John 1:3, “Without Him (Jesus) was not anything made that was made.”

In the Old Testament, only God creates. There is no category for a non-God creator. because Jesus creates, then Jesus participates in the divine identity. This is exactly why Thomas calls Him, John 20:28, “My Lord and my God.” And Jesus did not correct him.

Jesus is God, but not the Father; this is the heart of New Testament Christology, see, John 1:1; John 2; Hebrews 1:8.
The Father is God, John 6:27; 1 Corinthians 8:6, yet Jesus is not the Father, John 17:1–5.

This is why Paul said, 1 Corinthians 8:6, “To us there is one God, the Father… and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things.” Paul is not dividing deity. He is showing distinction of persons within the one divine identity. So, Jesus is our God because He created us, this is exactly the reasoning of Hebrews 1. The Father said to the Son, Hebrews 1:10, “You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth.” Earlier in the same chapter, Hebrews 1:6, “Let all God’s angels worship Him.” Worship is for God alone. So, the Father Himself said of his Son, Hebrews 1:8, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.”

If the Father calls Jesus “God,” you and I are simply agreeing with the Father. Yet Jesus has a God, the Father, which is also biblical. Jesus said after the resurrection, John 20:7, “I ascend to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.” This does not deny Jesus' deity. It reflects His incarnation and relationship within the Godhead.

Even in Jesus exalted state, 1 Corinthians 11:3, “The head of Christ is God (the Father).” This is relational order, not inequality of nature. And everything Jesus does glorifies the Father; this is a consistent theme throughout the New Testament. John 8:49, “I honor My Father. John 17:4, “I have glorified you on earth.”

John 5:23, “That all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father.” Notice that to honor the Son just as the Father is honored is to treat Him as God.

I say, “Jesus is God to the glory of His Father, who is also God.” These are almost exactly Paul’s words, Philippians 2:11, “Every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

I also say, “He is our God because He created us.” These words match Hebrews 1, John 1, and Colossians 1.

I also say, “His Father is also our God and His God,” which agrees with John 20:17.

Now, if you want me to prove Jesus is not God, I will use the New World Translation, but I would rather not waste my time, or yours.

[OneJack]

[Replying to placebofactor in post #5]

Now, if you want me to prove Jesus is not God, I will use the New World Translation, but I would rather not waste my time, or yours.

Let me ask you this question, for the kick-off, to clear everything about the Son. Could you please tell me honestly what your take is on the Son, who was born of Mary; was he (the Son), per se, the Eternal Father, who is the Almighty God? As you said, a Yes or No will do.

[OneJack]

[Replying to placebofactor in post #5]

Jesus is the Word = Logos, meaning he is the Word.

Whose statement was Jesus is the Word? If it was not from Jesus, obviously, it would not be Jesus.’

Your problem is that you do not understand who Jesus is.

Do you understand who Jesus is, btw? Look at this verse, where it is written:

“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

If the Son reveals nothing yet to you, you definitely know nothing about Jesus. And I presume you’ll agree that the bible is not the Son himself.

This is not the thread for this subject but let me explain it to you AGAIN!
Using the King James Bible. Jesus is the Creator; therefore, He shares the identity of God.

As I’ve said, Jesus is one of the names of the Almighty God [in accordance to Isa 7:14; 9:6; Matt 1:21], which were given to the son born of Mary. Therefore, Jesus is the name of God, who is the Father [who was in the Son; John 14:10-11], hence, He (Jesus) is the Creator.

“If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me.”

 “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”

[placebofactor]

[Replying to placebofactor in post #1]

And God responds. This is not because their prayer is theologically precise. It’s because God is merciful, and He delights to rescue people who are drowning. Even before someone knows the Bible, the Holy Spirit can convict, draw, awaken, break chains, and create a hunger for truth.

Indeed, God responds truly to those who call upon His name for salvation and eternal life.

What usually follows? they turn to the Bible. Those in crisis don’t stay in vague spirituality; they don’t build a religion out of their experience, nor do they follow “any spirit.” What they do seek is the word, then Christ, truth, and holiness.

It’s a paradox that hearing the truth from God can be less trustworthy than searching the same in the pages of the bible, in this context. The bible is not God.

Of course, the Bible is not God; it's his word!!!!!!!!!!

When and where did Jesus declare that the scripture/bible is His word, as you claimed?

Jesus is the Word = Logos, meaning he is the Word. Your problem is that you do not understand who Jesus is. This is not the thread for this subject but let me explain it to you AGAIN!
Using the King James Bible. Jesus is the Creator; therefore, He shares the identity of God. The New Testament is unambiguous: Colossians 1:16, “All things were created by Him (Jesus) and for Him.”
John 1:3, “Without Him (Jesus) was not anything made that was made.”

In the Old Testament, only God creates. There is no category for a non-God creator. because Jesus creates, then Jesus participates in the divine identity. This is exactly why Thomas calls Him, John 20:28, “My Lord and my God.” And Jesus did not correct him.

Jesus is God, but not the Father; this is the heart of New Testament Christology, see, John 1:1; John 2; Hebrews 1:8.
The Father is God, John 6:27; 1 Corinthians 8:6, yet Jesus is not the Father, John 17:1–5.

This is why Paul said, 1 Corinthians 8:6, “To us there is one God, the Father… and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things.” Paul is not dividing deity. He is showing distinction of persons within the one divine identity. So, Jesus is our God because He created us, this is exactly the reasoning of Hebrews 1. The Father said to the Son, Hebrews 1:10, “You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth.” Earlier in the same chapter, Hebrews 1:6, “Let all God’s angels worship Him.” Worship is for God alone. So, the Father Himself said of his Son, Hebrews 1:8, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.”

If the Father calls Jesus “God,” you and I are simply agreeing with the Father. Yet Jesus has a God, the Father, which is also biblical. Jesus said after the resurrection, John 20:7, “I ascend to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.” This does not deny Jesus' deity. It reflects His incarnation and relationship within the Godhead.

Even in Jesus exalted state, 1 Corinthians 11:3, “The head of Christ is God (the Father).” This is relational order, not inequality of nature. And everything Jesus does glorifies the Father; this is a consistent theme throughout the New Testament. John 8:49, “I honor My Father. John 17:4, “I have glorified you on earth.”

John 5:23, “That all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father.” Notice that to honor the Son just as the Father is honored is to treat Him as God.

I say, “Jesus is God to the glory of His Father, who is also God.” These are almost exactly Paul’s words, Philippians 2:11, “Every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

I also say, “He is our God because He created us.” These words match Hebrews 1, John 1, and Colossians 1.

I also say, “His Father is also our God and His God,” which agrees with John 20:17.

Now, if you want me to prove Jesus is not God, I will use the New World Translation, but I would rather not waste my time, or yours.

OneJack, I have posted a group of verses above that prove that Jesus Christ is the Creator of Genesis 1:1. When you answer these verses, then we will continue this conversation. You can begin with Colossians 1:16 and John 1:3.

[OneJack]

[Replying to placebofactor in post #1]

Indeed, God responds truly to those who call upon His name for salvation and eternal life.

It’s a paradox that hearing the truth from God can be less trustworthy than searching the same in the pages of the bible, in this context. The bible is not God.

Of course, the Bible is not God; it's his word!!!!!!!!!!

When and where did Jesus declare that the scripture/bible is His word, as you claimed?

Jesus is the Word = Logos, meaning he is the Word. Your problem is that you do not understand who Jesus is. This is not the thread for this subject but let me explain it to you AGAIN!
Using the King James Bible. Jesus is the Creator; therefore, He shares the identity of God. The New Testament is unambiguous: Colossians 1:16, “All things were created by Him (Jesus) and for Him.”
John 1:3, “Without Him (Jesus) was not anything made that was made.”

In the Old Testament, only God creates. There is no category for a non-God creator. because Jesus creates, then Jesus participates in the divine identity. This is exactly why Thomas calls Him, John 20:28, “My Lord and my God.” And Jesus did not correct him.

Jesus is God, but not the Father; this is the heart of New Testament Christology, see, John 1:1; John 2; Hebrews 1:8.
The Father is God, John 6:27; 1 Corinthians 8:6, yet Jesus is not the Father, John 17:1–5.

This is why Paul said, 1 Corinthians 8:6, “To us there is one God, the Father… and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things.” Paul is not dividing deity. He is showing distinction of persons within the one divine identity. So, Jesus is our God because He created us, this is exactly the reasoning of Hebrews 1. The Father said to the Son, Hebrews 1:10, “You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth.” Earlier in the same chapter, Hebrews 1:6, “Let all God’s angels worship Him.” Worship is for God alone. So, the Father Himself said of his Son, Hebrews 1:8, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.”

If the Father calls Jesus “God,” you and I are simply agreeing with the Father. Yet Jesus has a God, the Father, which is also biblical. Jesus said after the resurrection, John 20:7, “I ascend to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.” This does not deny Jesus' deity. It reflects His incarnation and relationship within the Godhead.

Even in Jesus exalted state, 1 Corinthians 11:3, “The head of Christ is God (the Father).” This is relational order, not inequality of nature. And everything Jesus does glorifies the Father; this is a consistent theme throughout the New Testament. John 8:49, “I honor My Father. John 17:4, “I have glorified you on earth.”

John 5:23, “That all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father.” Notice that to honor the Son just as the Father is honored is to treat Him as God.

I say, “Jesus is God to the glory of His Father, who is also God.” These are almost exactly Paul’s words, Philippians 2:11, “Every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

I also say, “He is our God because He created us.” These words match Hebrews 1, John 1, and Colossians 1.

I also say, “His Father is also our God and His God,” which agrees with John 20:17.

Now, if you want me to prove Jesus is not God, I will use the New World Translation, but I would rather not waste my time, or yours.

OneJack, I have posted a group of verses above that prove that Jesus Christ is the Creator of Genesis 1:1. When you answer these verses, then we will continue this conversation. You can begin with Colossians 1:16 and John 1:3.

As far as the issue of the Creator in Genesis 1:1 is concerned, we’re on the same page; Jesus is the God who created the heavens and the earth. There is nothing to argue about this issue.

There is only one God, and His name is Immanuel, or Mighty God, or Eternal Father, or Jesus (Isa 7:14; 9:6; Matt 1:21). He is the Father who dwelt in the physical body of the Son (male son born of Mary) in His incarnation.

John 14:10. Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.

[placebofactor]

[Replying to OneJack in post #9]

OneJack, have a happy and prosperous New Year:
“Emmanuel” in Matthew 1:23 is not Jesus’ personal name but a prophetic title that describes His identity as “God with us.” Matthew uses the Hebrew word Immanuel and explains its meaning to show that Jesus fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy by bringing God’s presence to His people.

Matthew 1:23 does not say that “Emmanuel” was Jesus’ everyday proper name. Instead, Matthew is explaining that the title Emmanuel expresses who Jesus is, not what people would call Him daily. Matthew quotes Isaiah 7:14 and then adds an explanation:

“They shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”

A few key points emerge from the commentaries and explanations: “Emmanuel” is a title describing Jesus’ identity, not His given name. The verse is presented as the fulfillment of prophecy, not as a birth certificate name.
Commentaries emphasize that the prophecy is about what the child will be God present with His people, not about what Mary and Joseph would literally name Him.

The angel explicitly commands Joseph to name the child Jesus (Greek Iēsous, Hebrew Yeshua) earlier in the same passage, Matthew 1:21. Matthew never suggests that Jesus was ever addressed as “Emmanuel” in daily life.
Matthew writes the Hebrew name Immanuel (Ἐμμανουήλ is simply the Greek spelling of the Hebrew). He then translates it for his Greek-speaking readers: “God with us.”