In the P of GP we read that the Lord told Abraham to tell people that Sarai was his sister so they would not kill him to have her for themselves. Abraham 2:22-25 "And it came to pass when I was come near to enter into Egypt, the Lord said unto me: Behold, Sarai, thy wife, is a very fair woman to look upon; Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see her, they will say—She is his wife; and they will kill you, but they will save her alive; therefore see that ye do on this wise: Let her say unto the Egyptians, she is thy sister, and thy soul shall live. And it came to pass that I, Abraham, told Sarai, my wife, all that the Lord had said unto me—Therefore say unto them, I pray thee, thou art my sister, that it may be well with me for thy sake, and my soul shall live because of thee."
In the New Testament we're told to avoid people who cause divisions and who teach doctrines contrary to what we have learned. I've learned that some people ask honest questions about the gospel because they want to understand. We need o do our best to teach these people the truth. But other people just want to contend and raise doubts about the faith. They try to find fault and criticize. If it becomes evident that their hearts are hardened to the point that they already have their minds made up and won't even listen to what we have to say, sometimes it is better to just let them go and avoid contact with them. If all we can do is contend with them, the Spirit won't be present. And when it comes to things of the gospel, the Spirit is absolutely essential in order for learning to take place. Romans 16: 17 "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them."
Some verses with a thought booklet demonstrate why it is important to obey the word of God and how rebelling against it lead to the people stoning Stephen who testified against their wickedness. They did not want to hear what he had to say. In fact, they stopped up their ears so they wouldn't have to listen. It is sad indeed when people are so hard hearted that they refuse to hear the truth and in fact become angry and hateful when people try to teach them, even lashing out at those who try. Acts 7:51-60 "Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep."
In the New Testament we're told to avoid people who cause divisions and who teach doctrines contrary to what we have learned. I've learned that some people ask honest questions about the gospel because they want to understand. We need o do our best to teach these people the truth. But other people just want to contend and raise doubts about the faith. They try to find fault and criticize. If it becomes evident that their hearts are hardened to the point that they already have their minds made up and won't even listen to what we have to say, sometimes it is better to just let them go and avoid contact with them. If all we can do is contend with them, the Spirit won't be present. And when it comes to things of the gospel, the Spirit is absolutely essential in order for learning to take place. Romans 16: 17 "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them."
Some verses with a thought booklet demonstrate why it is important to obey the word of God and how rebelling against it lead to the people stoning Stephen who testified against their wickedness. They did not want to hear what he had to say. In fact, they stopped up their ears so they wouldn't have to listen. It is sad indeed when people are so hard hearted that they refuse to hear the truth and in fact become angry and hateful when people try to teach them, even lashing out at those who try. Acts 7:51-60 "Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep."
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