[Starman]

Starman,

There is nothing wrong with choosing the way one believes is best suited to attain salvation. I have no problems with that. What I do dislike are those who believe they have found that way - that would be most of us - and who then proceed to hammer everyone else.

It is possible to disagree without burning the other fellow.

Happy Easter to you.


M:)RGANITE

If by "hammering" and "burning" you mean judging those who believe differently from us as being permanently in God's disapproval or cursed and repeatedly bringing such a hopelessly lost future to their attention then I agree.

Happy Easter to you as well.

[magprob]

Well, I heard that a family of Jews, the Icebergs, sunk the Titanic.

[Starman]

Well, I heard that a family of Jews, the Icebergs, sunk the Titanic.

The human tendency for scapegoating is really annoying isn't it?
As you know, it all started in the Garden of Eden when Adam blamed Eve and by extension blamed God for having given him Eve and Eve blamed the serpent and humans have been going at it now for approx 6000 years.

Genesis 3:11-13 (English Standard Version

11. He said,"Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?" 12The man said, "The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate." 13Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this that you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."

[ScottGem]

Well, I heard that a family of Jews, the Icebergs, sunk the Titanic.

Ouch! That was a groaner! :)

[Morganite]

One thing to keep in mind, however, is that such an opinion was justifiable for Israel since they were the chosen nation through which enlightenment was being dispensed via inspiration. Later, Christianity became that channel, not apostate Christianity, the Christianity that Christ and his Apostles taught. But as I pointed out in my other posts, their is more to salvation than just knowledge.

The tribes of Israel were called to be the repository of divine truth. The intention was that other nations after seeing their righteousness and blessings would also want to drawe near and worship the God of Israel.

In their position, there was not then, and never has been, any requirement or approval from Deity for them to consider themselves above others. Israel's call was to be of service unto salvation to the whole world.

That call was not an invitation to step above others, but to raise its light so that others might witness its source and come to worship the Living God.

Christians who heeded the call to discipleship were committed to confom their lives to the same principles.

"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."



M:)RGANITE

[Starman]

The tribes of Israel were called to be the repository of divine truth. The intention was that other nations after seeing their righteousness and blessings would also want to drawe near and worship the God of Israel.

In their position, there was not then, and never has been, any requirement or approval from Deity for them to consider themselves above others. Israel's call was to be of service unto salvation to the whole world.

That call was not an invitation to step above others, but to raise its light so that others might witness its source and come to worship the Living God.

Christians who heeded the call to discipleship were committed to confom their lives to the same principles.

"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."



M:)RGANITE

Excellent! That is much closer to what I meant to say. Thanks for the clarification!
The obnoxious behavior which was demonstrated by Peter and others toward gentiles was definitely not approved. As there promise to Abraham indicated, salvation or blessings would be for the whole world not just the Jews. However, they did have a right to feel special and privileged since they were honored by this close relationship with God.

Psalm 33:12
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,The people He has chosen as His own inheritance. NKJV


Then Christians composed of both Jews and gentiles:

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; NKJV

Ironically, with the passage of time, those claiming to be Christians fell into the same error by adopting an unbalanced view as had Israel.