Although the term "Apostolic" is not listed in the dictionary, it was adopted by the New Testament church of believers who embrace the spiritual interpretations of the doctrine of Christ, which was first expounded upon by Jesus Christ Himself, then passed on from Christ to the twelve Apostles, and from the tweleve Apostles on unto the New Testament church, even until today. So then simply put, "Apostolic" means..."A Handed Down Doctrine." However, the divine power that upholds the "Apostolic Faith", doesn't end with this mere definition. But rather it emodies the same "kingdom" principles that Jesus Christ Himself demonstrated throughout His earthly lifestyle and ministry which in turn, gives ALL believers the perfect example of how we should follow after Him! Having said that, let's take a closer look at how the author of the book below defines "Apostolic." - (Rev. Tina K. Platt)
*******************
Apostolic Foundations - Preface
By Art Katz**********
I have a very special respect for the word apostolic. To lose its meaning threatens the loss of the faith itself. It is not a word that is easy to define, and yet there is something about this word and its meaning that is at the heart of the faith. It is an ultimate word, and it is a word that needs to be resuscitated, and not be thought of as merely a denominational identification. It is a word that pulsates with glory, and therefore we need to seek for and rescue the apostolic foundation-or we will not have a church worthy of that word.***********
Like every great biblical word, we will not find the definition in a dictionary. We need rather to be apprehended by the genius of what that word represents. It is a seeking out and restoring of all that was once authentic, all that was held dear, all that was believed, all that was understood, and all that was vital in the first church. There is something pungent about the word apostolic that brings to mind the heart, the spirit and the sense of the church when it was at its glory. The church was apostolic at its inception and needs to be so at its conclusion. Indeed, only an apostolic church can stand and overcome, and by that witness, testify to and penetrate an obdurate and resistant remnant of Israel in the mystery of God at the end of this age.
********************
Probably one of the greatest failures of the church is to be satisfied with verbal statements and credal affirmations¾ but without the corresponding actuality. We are deceived, and we will be deceiving others if we satisfy ourselves with mere verbal acknowledgments alone. God is existential-He is the God of reality; He is not content with the mere approval of a doctrine. He waits for the appropriation and the reality.
********************
A church with apostolic foundations is that body of people whose central impulse and principle of life, being and service is one thing only, namely, a radical and total jealousy for the glory of God. May these great apostolic themes kindle in your own hearts nothing less or other than this holy standard. And may something come into your spirit and the marrow of your being that henceforth will never let you go.
*******************
Be assured that the insights expressed here have not come cheaply nor glibly, but by conditions of life, experienced corporately and personally, that approximate in some measure the realities that constituted the grit of the early church. To those who have suffered with us these pains in the hope of the glory is this book dedicated.
*********
Arthur Katz
We believe the Bible to be the true, infallible Word of God. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" - (2 Tim. 3:16).**********
The Bible is the only God-given authority which man possesses; therefore all doctrine, faith, hope, and all instruction for the church must be based upon, and harmonize with the Bible. It is to be read and studied by all men everywhere, and can only be clearly understood by those who are anointed by the Holy Spirit - (1 John 2:27). "...No prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" - (2 Peter 1:20, 21).**********
We believe and embrace the teachings of the apostles and further hold that the history of the New Testament church gives us the perfect rule of accepting members into the church - (Eph. 2:19, 20). We believe that there is "One Lord, one faith, and one baptism, One God and Father of all who is above all, and through all, and in you all" - (Eph. 4:5, 6).
**********
THE ONE TRUE GOD*****
We believe that there is but one God: ever-lasting and eternal; infinite in power, Holy in nature, attributes and purpose; and possessing absolute, indivisible Deity. This one true God is self-existent, that is existing of Himself and by Himself, therefore He is Omniscient - (all knowing), Omnipotent -(all powerful), and Omnipresent - (which means His presence fills all space). He is the source and progenitor of all things and souls and has revealed Himself to man as Father in creation, Son in redemption, and as the Holy Ghost by emanation which regenerates and perfects those who believe. (St. John 1:1, 14; 1 Cor. 8:6; 2 Cor. 5:19; Joel 2:28; Ezk. 36:26; St John 14;26; 16:7 -14.)
**********
The scripture does more than attempt to prove the existence of God; it asserts, assumes and declares that the knowlege of God is universal - (Rom. 1:20). God is invisible, incorporeal, without parts, without body, and therefore free from all limitations. He is Spirit -(St. John 4:24), and a Spirit hath not flesh and bones - (St. Luke 24:39).
***********
"The first of all the commandments is hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord" - (St. Mark 12:29; Duet. 6:4). "Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them; for the Lord thy God am a jealous God..." - (Exodus 20:3). "...But there is one God, and there is none other but He" - (St. Mark 12:32).
**********
This one true God manifested Himself in the Old Testament in many ways; in the Son while He walked among men; and as the Holy Spirit after the ascension.
**********
FUNDAMENTAL DOCTRINE*****
Our basic and fundamental doctrine shall be the Bible standard of full salvation, which is repentance, baptism in water by immersion in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the initial sign of speaking with other tongues as the Holy Spirit gives utterance - (Acts 2:38).
**********
We shall endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit until we all come into the unity of the faith, at the same time admonishing all brethren that they shall not contend for their different views to disunity of the body.
**********
We believe in the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We believe that if we utilize the principles of kingdom living according to His holy Word in this present world, that we shall reign with Him when He shall return for His church and establish His kingdom on earth - (St. John 3:13; Rev. 21;1 -3.)
The simplest answer:*****
Jesus Christ is the eternal everlasting God
made visible in the flesh, and the express
'image' of God. -
(St. John 1:1, 14 & 1 Tim. 3:16)
**********
The detailed explanation:*****
SECTION A ....."GOD IN HIS ORIGINAL FORM IS A SPIRIT"
*****
1. St. John 4:23, 24...
(23)"But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in "spirit" and in "truth:" for the Father seeketh such to worship Him."
(24)"God is Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in "spirit" and in "truth."
**********
SECTION B...."THE 'ELOHIM' OF GOD"
*****
1. Gen. 1:26, 27...
(26)"And God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness..."(27)"So God created man in HIS OWN image, in the image of GOD created HE him; male and female created HE them."****
(a) Notice in verse 26 above that God is speaking in the Hebrew sense of the word - "Elohim", which is in direct reference to the multi-"ROLES" that God took upon HIMSELF in the ONE PERSON GODHEAD. (This will be further explained in the following sections.)*****
(b) Also note that verse 26 above uses "prophetic" language and in verse 27, the subject of the "prophecy" reveals that there is only ONE person being referred to in this whole illustration.*****
2. Is.9:6, 7...
(6)"For unto us a "child" is born, unto us a "son" is given: and the government shall be upon HIS shoulder: and HIS "name" shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The ALMIGHTY GOD, *THE EVERLASTING FATHER", the Prince of Peace."
*****
(7)"Of the increase of HIS government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon HIS kingdom to "order it", and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even FOREVER. The "zeal" of the Lord of hosts will perform this."*****
ANALYSIS:*****
(a) (POINT) Notice in verse 6 of the book of Isaiah that the word "child" denotes the human or flesh nature of the coming Messianic King, while the word "son" denotes HIS spiritual nature.*****
(b) (POINT) This "prophecy" of the promised Messiah tells us that it would be fulfilled in Christ Jesus in a very "literal" manner, and that this Christ would be BOTH 100% "human" as well as 100% "divine".*****
(c) (pt.) (vs.6)"And the GOVERNMETNT shall be upon HIS should" = implies that not only would this Christ be a GOD-man, but that HE would actually BE GOD who is manifested or seen by mankind in the flesh!*****
(d) (pt.) NOTICE the rest of the descriptive adjectives that Isaiah uses under the divine intervention of the Holy Spirit in order to foretell of the soon coming King, and how they are "capitalized." These words then are of course, "capitalized" so as to point out the distinctive nature and characteristics of Christ's true identity.
**********
For example...
- The word "Wonderful" reveals the "spiritual" nature of God in Christ*****
- The word "Counselor" reveals one of the "spiritual" "Roles or Offices" that God fulfills in Christ*****
- The phrase "The Mighty God" refers to Christ's true identity...( Notice that "the" here implies singularity and is not subsutituted for the word "a" which would change the meaning altogether. In other words, Isaiah said the coming Messiah - Jesus Christ - was "THE ALMIGHTY GOD" - (Not "a" mighty god." And "Almighty" of course, means ALL MIGHTY.)
*****
-The phrase "Prince of Peace" refers to another ROYAL "Office" or "ROLE" that God fulfills IN Christ.
*****
3. Heb. 1:1 -3...
(1)"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in the time past unto the fathers by the prophets." (2)"Hath in these last days spoken unto us by HIS Son, whom HE hath appointed HEIR of ALL THINGS, by WHOM also HE MADE THE WORLDS!" (3)"Who being in the brightness of HIS glory, and THE EXPRESS IMAGE of HIS PERSON, and upholding all things by the world of HIS POWER, when HE had BY HIMSELF purged our sins sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high."
*****
(a)(pt.) NOTICE here in verse 2 that it states..."BY WHOM also He made THE WORLDS." This again ties in with Genesis 1:26, 27 wherein it is indicated that JESUS is the same God that was here since before the beginning of time and all of creation.*****
(b)(pt.) Verse 3 then, specifically tells us that Christ is THE ETERNAL GOD SPIRIT that was manifested or made known in THE FLESH, - (This also concludes that God's kingdom is both universal and two-fold, meaning there is the "invisible" portion of His kingdom that can not be seen with the naked eye, called the HEAVENS...and the "visible" portion of His kingdom which is to REFLECT the "invisible" part, which is called the earth and all other firmaments.*****
(c)(pt.) *NOW when Scripture tells us that Jesus "sat down" on the "right hand of God (or of Majesty), IT MEANS THAT THE GLORIFIED CHRIST HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED IN ALL POWER AND AUTHORITY!....(Notice the following Scripture...)
*****
- EPH. 1:10..."THAT IN THE DISPENSATION OF THE FULNESS OF TIMES HE MIGHT GATHER TOGETHER IN ONE ALL THINGS IN CHRIST, BOTH WHICH ARE IN HEAVEN, AND WHICH ARE ON EARTH, EVEN IN HIM."*****
4. ST. JOHN 1:1 - 3, *14...
(1)"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word WAS GOD." (2)"The same was in the beginning with God." (3) All things were made by HIM; without HIM was NOT any thing made that was made."
(14)"And the Word...BECAME FLESH, AND DWELT AMONG US, (AND WE BEHELD HIS GLORY, THE GLORY AS OF THE ONLY BEGOTTEN OF THE FATHER,) full of grace and truth."
*****
(a) To summarize the above Scripture in short, JESUS CHRIST WAS and IS THE LIVING WORD OF GOD who took on a human body so as to become the sacrificial "LAMB" that was to be slain before the foundation of the world.
*****
5. 1 John 5:7...
(7)"For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the WORD, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are ONE."*****
6. 1 Tim. 3:16.......
(16)"And without controversy GREAT IS THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS: GOD was manifested in the FLESH, justified in the SPIRIT, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, RECEIVED UP into GLORY!"
*****
7. 2 Cor. 5:19...
(19)"To wit, GOD was IN Christ reconciling the world unto HIMSELF, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation."
*****
8. Coloss. 2:8, 9....
(8)"Beware lest any man spoil you through PHILOSOPHY and VAIN DECEIT after the TRADITION of MEN, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." (9)"For in HIM DWELLETH ALL the FULNESS of the GODHEAD...BODILY!"
*****
9. Heb. 12:2...
(2)"Looking unto Jesus the AUTHOR and FINISHER of our faith..."*****
10. Rev. 1:8...
(8)"I AM Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, WHICH IS, and WHICH WAS, and WHICH IS TO COME, THE ALMIGHTY."*****
11. Matt. 28:18...
(18)"And Jesus came and spake unto them saying, ALL POWER is given unto me in heaven and in earth."
*****
12. 1 Cor. 45 - 47...
(45)"And so it is written, The first man Adam was MADE a living soul; the LAST ADAM - (CHRIST) - was made a quickening Spirit." (46)"Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritaul." (47)"The first man is of the earth, earthy: THE SECOND MAN IS THE LORD FROM HEAVEN."
*****
13. St. John 3:13****** (13)"AND NO MAN HATH ASCENDED UP TO HEAVEN, BUT HE THAT CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN, EVEN THE SON OF MAN WHICH IS IN HEAVEN!"
**********
SECTION C....."JESUS' EARTHLY MISSION"
*****
1. Matt. 9:12, 13...
(12)"But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick." (13)"But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am NOT come to call the righteous, BUT SINNERS TO REPENTANCE."
*****
2. St. John 10:15...
(15)"As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep."
*****
3. Heb. 9:22....
(22)"And almost all things are by the law purged with BLOOD; and without shedding of BLOOD is no REMISSION."
*****
4. Matt. 5:17...
(17)"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill."
*****
5. Mark 14:58...
(58)"We heard Him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, within three days I will build another made without hands."*****
6. St, John 2:19 - 22...
(19)"Jesus answered and said unto them, destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." (20)"Then said they to Jesus, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?"*****
(21)"But He spake of the temple of His body." (22)"When therefore He was risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this unto them, and they believed the Scripture, and the word which Jesus had said."
*****
7. 1 Pet. 1:3 - 5, 8, 9....
(3)"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His aboundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." (4)"To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you."*****
(5)"Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto SALVATION: READY TO BE REVEALED in the last time." (8)"Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom though now you see HIM not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory." (9)"Receiving the end of your faith, even the SALVATION of your souls."*****
SECTION D...."JESUS' EARTHLY MINISTRY"
*****
1. Matt. 6:33
*****
(33)"But seek ye first the KINGDOM of God and HIS righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
*****
SUMMARY....
*****
As you can see from just these certain Scriptures listed and defined above, God's plan for man was already in affect, long before God created and founded the worlds. It is also quite evident in these Scriptures that God is...
*****
(1) OMNIPRESENT - MEANING HE'S EVERY WHERE AT THE SAME TIME
*****
(2) OMNIPOTENT - MEANING HE'S ALL POWERFUL
*****
(3) OMNISCIENT - MEANING HE'S ALL KNOWING...(And the only other thing the Word of God tells us concerning God's knowledge, is that if there is another god, THE ONE TRUE ETERNAL GOD SAID HE DOESN'T KNOW HIM!)
******
Example/ Is.42:8..."I AM THE LORD: that is my name: and MY GLORY WILL I NOT GIVE TO ANOTHER, NEITHER MY PRAISE TO GRAVEN IMAGES."*****
Being the "author" and the "finisher" of our faith, God had forseen the downfall of mankind, starting with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and prepared to come to earth HIMSELF to take on a "sacrificial" body - (Christ Jesus) - so as the "LAMB THAT WAS SLAIN BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD, (Rev. 13:8) He could REDEEM fallen humanity from their sins. Reason? Because God alone was the ONLY One who was HOLY enough, Pure enough, and Sacred enough to "redeem" man from his sins.*****
Also in summary, God's mission in Christ was to reconcile, or rather, to bring mankind BACK into a harmonious relationship with HIMSELF once again. KEEP IN MIND, THAT GOD'S PURPOSE FOR MAKING MAN IN THE FIRST PLACE, WAS SO THAT MAN COULD NOT ONLY BECOME A PART OF GOD'S SPIRITUAL FAMILY. BUT ALSO SO THAT GOD COULD HAVE SOMEONE WITH HIS OWN INTELLECT THAT HE COULD INTERACT WITH AS A WHOLE.
60 Questions on the Godhead
************
1. Is the word 'trinity' in the Bible? No.
*****
2. Does the Bible say that there are three persons in the Godhead? No.*****
3. Does the Bible speak of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost? Yes.*****
4. Do these titles as used in Matthew 28:19 mean that there are three separate and distinct persons in the Godhead? No, they refer to three offices, roles, or relationship to humanity.
*****
5. Does the Bible use the word 'three' in reference to God? Only one verse in the entire Bible does so - (1 John 5:7). It speaks of the Father, the Word (instead of Son), and the Holy Ghost, and it concludes by saying: "These three are one."
*****
6. Does the Bible use the word 'one' in reference to God? Yes, many times. For example, see Zechariah 14:9; Malachi 2:10; Matthew 23:9; Mark 12:29, 32; John 8:41; 10:30; Romans 3:30; 1 Corinthians 8:4; Galatians 3:20; 1 Timothy 2:5; James 2:19*****
7. Can the mystery of the Godhead be understood? Yes. Romans 1:20; Colossians 2:8, 9; 1 Timothy 3:16*.
*****
8. Has the Christian only 'one' Heavenly Father? Yes. Matthew 23:9.*****
9. Then why did Jesus say to Philip, "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father" (John 14:9)? Because Jesus is the express image of God's person. Hebrews 1:3. The Greek word for person in this verse literally means "substance."
*****
10. Does the Bible say that there are 'two' persons in the Godhead? No.*****
11. Does the Bible say that 'all' the Godhead is revealed in 'one' person? Yes, in Jesus Christ. II Corinthians 4:4; Colossians 1:19; 2:9; Hebrews 1:3.*****
12. Is the mystery of the Deity hidden from some people? Yes. Luke 10:21, 22.*****
13. Who is the Father? The Father is the ONE God, particularly as revealed in parental relationship to humanity. Deuteronomy 32:6; Malachai 2:10.*****
14. Where was God the Father while Jesus was on earth? The Father was IN Christ. John 14:10; II Corinthians 5:19. He was also in heaven, for God is omnipresent - (meaning every where at the same time.)*****
15. Did the prophet Isaiah say that Jesus would be the Father? Yes. Isaiah 9:6; 63:16.*****
16. When God said, "Let us make man in our image" (Genesis 1:26), was He speaking to another person in the Godhead? No. Isaiah 44:24; Malachai 2:10.*****
17. How many of God's qualities were in Christ? All. Colossians 2:9.*****
18. How may we see the God who sent Jesus into the world? By seeing Jesus. John 12:44, 45; 14:9
*****
19. Does the Bible say that Jesus is the Almighty? Yes. Revelation 1:8.*****
20. Whom do some designate as the first person in the trinity? God the Father.*****
21. Whom do some designate as the last person in the trinity? The Holy Ghost. But Jesus said that He was the FIRST and LAST. Revelation 1:17, 18.*****
22. How many persons did John see sitting on the throne in heaven? One. Revelation 4:2.*****
23. If Jesus is the FIRST and LAST, why did God say in Isaiah 44:6 that He was the FIRST and LAST? Because Jesus is the God of the Old Testament incarnate.*****
24. Did Jesus tell Satan that God alone should be worshipped? Yes. Matthew 4:10.*****
25.* Does the devil believe in more than one God? No. James 2:19.*****
26. Does the Bible say that God, who is the Word, was made flesh? Yes. John 1:1, 14.*****
27. For what purpose was God manifested in the flesh? To save sinners. Hebrews 2:9, 14.*****
28. Was Jesus God manifested in the flesh? Yes. 1 Timothy 3:16.*****
29. Could Jesus have been on earth and in heaven at the same time? Yes. John 3:13.*****
30. Does the Bible say that there is but 'one' Lord? Yes. Isaiah 45:18; Ephesians 4:5.*****
31. Does the Bible say that Christ is the Lord? Yes. Luke 2:11.
*****
32. Does the Bible say that the Lord is God? Yes. 1 Kings 18:39; Zechariah 14:5; Acts 2:39; Revelation 19:1.
*****
33. How could the church belong to Jesus (Matthew 16:18) and yet be the church of God (1 Corinthians 10:32)? Because Jesus is God in the flesh.*****
34. Will God give HIS glory to another? No. Isaiah 42:8.
*****
35. Was there a God formed before Jehovah, or will there be one formed after? No. Isaiah 43;10.*****
36. What is the one thing that God does not know? Another God. Isaiah 44:8.*****
37. What is the one thing that God CANNOT do? Lie. Titus 1:2.
*****
38. How many Gods should we know? ONLY ONE. Hosea 13:4.
*****
39. How many names has the Lord? ONE. Zechariah 14:9.
*****
40. Is it good to think upon the name of the Lord? Yes. Malachai 3:16.*****
41. Does the Bible say that God alone treads upon the waves of the sea? Yes. Job. 9:8.*****
42. Why, then, was Jesus able to walk upon the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 14:25)? Because He is God the Creator. Colossians 1:16.*****
43. Is God the ONLY ONE Who can 'forgive' sin? Yes. Isaiah 43:25; Mark 2:7.*****
44. Why, then, could Jesus FORGIVE sin in Mark 2:5 - 11? Because HE is God the Savior.*****
45. Is Jesus the true God? Yes. 1 John 5:20.
*****
46. If God and the Holy Ghost are two separate persons, which was the Father of Christ? Matthew 1:20 says that the Holy Ghost was the Father, while Romans 15:6, II Corinthians 11:31, and Ephesians 1:3 say that God was the Father. There is no contradition when we realize that God the Father and the Holy Ghost are ONE and the same Spirit. Matthew 10:20; Ephesians 4:4; 1 Corinthians 3:16.*****
47. When Paul asked the Lord Who He was, what was the answer? "I am Jesus." Acts 9:5.*****
48. When Stephen was dying, did he call God Jesus? Yes. Acts 7:59.*****
49. Did Thomas ever call Jesus God? Yes. John 20:28.
*****
50. How could Jesus be the Savior, when God the Father said in Isaiah 43:11, "Beside Me there is no Savior"? Because "God was IN Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself." II Corinthians 5:19.*****
51. Does the Bible say that Jesus was God WITH us?Yes. Matthew 1:23.*****
52. Did Jesus ever say, "I and My Father are ONE"? Yes. John 10:30.*****
53. Can it be proved scripturally that Jesus and the Father are ONE in the same sense that husband and wife are one? No. The Godhead was never compared to the the relationship of a husband and wife. Jesus identified Himself with the Father in a way that husband and wife cannot be identified with each other. John 14:9 - 11.*****
54. Does the Bible say that there is only ONE wise God? Yes. Jude 25.*****
55. Does the Bible call the Holy Ghost a second or third person in the Godhead? No. The Holy Ghost is the one Spirit of God, the one God HIMSELF at work in our lives. John 4:24; I Corinthians 3:16, 17; 6:19; 12:13.*****
56. Can Trinitarians show that three divine persons were present when Jesus was baptized by John? ABSOLUTELY NOT! The ONE, omnipresent God used three simultaneous manifestations. Only ONE divine person was present - Jesus Christ the Lord!*****
57. Then what were the other two of whom Trinitarians speak? One was a voice from heaven; the other was the Spirit of God in the form of a dove. Matthew 3:16, 17.
*****
58. What did the 'voice' say at Jesus' baptism? "Thou art MY beloved Son, IN WHOM I AM well pleased." Mark 1:11. As the Son of God, Jesus was the ONE God incarnate.
*****
59. Does the Bible say that God shed His blood and that God laid down His life for us? Yes. Acts 20:28; 1 John 3:16. God was able to do this because He had taken upon HIMSELF a HUMAN BODY.*****
60. The Bible says that God is coming back with all HIS saints (Zechariah 14:5) and also that Jesus is coming back with all HIS saints (I Thessalonians 3:13). Are two coming back? NO. Only ONE is COMING BACK - our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Titus 2:13.*****
The short answer:*****
SIN is tresspasses made 'against' God's Law;
disobedience to God's eternal Law and
authority. (1 John 3:4)
**************
The extended answer:*****
Introduction
This question is of vital importance because of the fearful judgment against those who commit sin. "The soul that sinneth, it shall die," thunders the Old Testament (Ezekiel 18:20). In like tones, the New Testament declares: "The wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). The one who lives in sin throughout his earthly life and faces God without having obtained divine forgiveness will be sentenced to eternal perdition.**********
Sin sprang full-grown among men. Adam and Eve sinned by disobeying God. The first boy born on this earth grew to manhood and murdered the second-his own brother! And sin has existed in every generation since.
***********
In our time, however, there is one difference: many no longer know what sin actually is. Things evil are sometimes designated as good; things good, as evil. Isaiah condemned such a practice, declaring, "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil" (Isaiah 5:20).
************
Since this confusion exists, and since a person will not seek forgiveness for sin until he knows what sin is, a clear-cut definition, both negative and positive, is urgently needed.
************
Sin Is Not Necessarily Crime
*****
Some equate sin with crime, feeling that to commit sin one must be a murderer, robber, rapist, or the like. Once, an evangelist passing out revival circulars was told that he should go to the local jail and try to convert a woman who had recently murdered her father. Certainly this woman needed forgiveness, but no more so than other sinners who had not committed a crime.
************
A crime is a sin, but not every sin is a crime. Crimes are committed against people; sin is committed against God. As an example, David wronged Bathsheba, and committed the crime of murder against Uriah her husband, but he affirmed, "Against thee [God], thee only, have I sinned" (Psalm 51:4).
************
Sin Is Not Unbelief Alone
*****
Near the end of His ministry, Jesus told His disciples that the Holy Ghost would "reprove the world of sin . . . because they believe not on me" (John 16:8?9). Misinterpreting His meaning, some have concluded that sin is nothing more than unbelief. But Jesus meant that unbelief would form the basis of sin. People sin because they do not believe on Jesus Christ. Unbelief is sin, but it leads to further sin.
*************
"Sin Is the Transgression of the Law"
*****
This definition is given in I John 3:4. By law, the apostle meant the Word of God, which originally was the Old Testament but which now includes the New Testament as well. Sin, then, is the transgression (breaking) of a commandment found in the Bible.
*************
Sins of Comission. Someone is guilty of such a sin when he does something that the Word of God forbids.
*****
Sins of Ommission. He who fails to do what he knows God has commanded is guilty of a sin of omission. "To him that guilty to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin" (James 4:17).
*****
"All Unrighteousness Is Sin"
*****
I John 5:17 declares this truth. A person is unrighteous when he does what is wrong. According to this verse, then, when someone does wrong, he commits sin.
*****
We should note that all unrighteousness is sin. Men are prone to classify sin as little or great, black or gray, mortal or venial. But to God, all sin is offensive and objectionable. As an example of the difference between man's and God's judgment of sin, man classifies the sin of lying as one of the lesser evils, but God places "all liars" in the same category as the abominable, murderers, whoremong ers, sorcerers, and idolaters (Revelation 21:8). Moreover, He pronounces the same judgment upon all of these sinners?eter nal perdition in the lake of fire and brimstone.
*************
What then is sin? Simply put, sin is doing what God forbids or failing to do what He commands.
*****
**************
FINAL ANALYSIS*****
by Rev. Tina K. Platt
*****
SECTION A...."WHAT IS SIN?"
*****
1. 1 John3:4...
(4)"Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the "LAW"; for "sin" is the transgression of the "LAW".
*****
(a) In a nutshell, SIN is disobedience against God's kingdom "LAWS", which is HIS written word - (The Bible.)
*****
(b) (pt.) God's COMMANDMENTS are NOT negotiable!!!!!!
*****
- Ex/ If God instructed us to DO a thing and we don't, it counts as "sin" against us. But in the same token, if God instructs us NOT to DO a thing and we DO it anyway, it still counts as "sin" against us.
*****
2. Rom. 3:23...
(23)"For ALL have SINNED and come short of the glory of God."
*****
(a) (pt.) Furthermore...Adam and Eve's disobedience to God in the Garden of Eden sold ALL of mankind that came after them into the slavery of "sin."
*****
(b) Therefore, everyone is automatically "born" into a state of "sinful" being and no matter how good a person lives, or no matter how many acts of righteousness a person does...THIS PERSON, as well as EVERYONE who has ever been born since the time of Adam and Eve's downfall in the garden...STILL NEEDS to be "WASHED" in the BLOOD of the LAMB for the REMISSION of SINS, or otherwise, when God's judgment day comes, these "UNCLEAN" or "UNWASHED" persons will be weighed in the balance and found "wanton."
************
(c) *Also note, that Christ had ONLY to die ONCE - (Heb. 7:27) - and that HIS BLOOD that was shed on Calvary's cross was enough to pay for both a man's past and future sins!
*****
- Ex/ 1 Pet. 4:17, 18...(17)"For the time is come that judgment must begin AT the "HOUSE OF GOD": and if it first begin at "us" - (true beleivers) - what shall the end be of them that OBEY NOT the Gospel of God?" (18)"And IF THE RIGHTEOUS SCARCELY BE SAVED, where shall the UNGODLY and the SINNER appear?"
*****
- Ex/* James 5:16...(This message is to the church of God)..."Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The EFFECTUAL FERVANT PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN AVAILETH MUCH."
*****
- Ex/ 2 Cor. 7:9, 10...
(9)"Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye SORROWED to REPENTANCE: for ye were made sorry after a godly MANNER, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing."
*****
(10)"For godly SORROW WORKETH REPENTANCE to SALVATION not to be repented of: but the SORROW of the WORLD WORKETH DEATH."
************
SECTION B..."WE CAN NOT SERVE TWO MASTERS" & "SIN IS THE DIRECT INFLUENCE OF SATAN"
*****
1. Eph. 2:2...
(2)"Wherein in time past ye "walked" according to the course of this WORLD, according to the 'Prince of the power of the AIR', the spirit THAT NOW WORKETH IN THE CHILDREN OF DISOBEDIENCE."*****
(a) (pt.) *Whether most people believe this in their hearts or not, EVERYONE is influenced by "one" of two kingdoms: either GOD'S or Satan's.*****
(b) (pt.) *If you are not serving the "living" GOD and living your life for HIS glory, you are then automatically serving the devil under Satan's power of persuasion to deceive men and cause them to rebel against God which is sin. (FOR A MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THIS ARCH ENEMY, REFER TO OUR BIBLE STUDY PAGE ENTITLED (SATAN / THE ANTICHRIST.)
******
SECTION C....SUMMARY
*****
1. *SIN is what separates men from God, our True vine and source.*****
(a) St. John 15:1, 2...
(1)"I AM the TRUE vine, and My Father is the husbandman. (2)"Every 'branch' in me that beareth NOT FRUIT HE TAKETH AWAY: and every 'branch' that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit."
*****
(b)(pt.) Jesus - (being the "mediator" between God and man, 1 Tim. 2:5, 6) - is the True "source" of life, which is symbolically implied by the word "vine."
*****
- Ex/ *Like a child who is connected to his mother by an imbilical cord during pregancy, THE CHURCH of Jesus Christ is CONNECTED, or RECONCILED to God through the blood of Christ which was shed for the cleansing of mankind's sins. In turn, God became "reconciled", or "RE-CONNECTED with man, back into a harmonious relationship once again.
*****
- Ex/ If we as "born-again" baptized beleivers - (Acts 2:38) - stay "connected" to Christ, who is the "LIFE-GIVER" of the church....through obedience...we will PRODUCE and BRING Forth "Good Works" unto Him.
*****
............................................................
FINAL WORD ON SIN THAT EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT HOW GOD RESPONDS TO SINNERS...BECAUSE ULTIMATELY...THIS MIGHT BE THE ANSWER FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN WONDERING WHY THEY DO NOT FEEL THE EFFECTUAL POWER OF GOD, WORKING IN THEIR LIVES.
**************
A WARNING TO ALL...
ST. JOHN 9:31...
(31)"Now we know that God HEARETH NOT SINNERS: but if any man be a worshiper of God, and DOETH HIS WILL, him HE heareth!"*****
- (POINT) Even believers in Christ, as well as the sinner-man, oftentimes seem to let our main focus get so caught up in the things of this world...that we soon take our attention away from God...and by doing so...we end up HINDERING our OWN blessings, in that God's promises were made to those who..."SEEK FIRST HIS KINGDOM AND ALL HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS." - (MATT.6:33)
*****
- (POINT) 1 John1:8..."If we say that wwe have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."
*****
- ALSO, the word of God continues to teach us that,
if we break one law of God, we are guilty of them all,
and the Scripture further concludes concerning the Kingdom of God, that NO SIN CAN THEREFORE ENTER IN! - (James 2:10 / *REV.21:27)
*****
Remember to take heed...and may God inspire you to become a TRUE worshiper of HIM!
SECTION A...."What is Salvation?"*****
1. (term) SALVATION - (Dictionary Definition) = a saving or being saved from danger, evil, difficulty, destruction, etc.; a person or thing that is a means, cause, or source of preservation or rescue*****
- (Spiritual Interpretation) = Being bought back or "redeemed" from the auction block of sin; to be "salvaged" from the shipwreck of sin*****
2. Rom. 1:16, 17...
(16)"For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the POWER of God unto SALVATOIN to every one that BELIEVETH; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." (17)"For therein is the righeousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith."
*****
3. Phil. 2:12, 13...
(12)"Wherfore my beloved, as ye have always OBEYED, not as in my presence only; but now much more in my absence, WORK out YOUR OWN SALVATION with "FEAR" and "TREMBLING." (13)"For it is God which worketh IN you both to will and to do of HIS good pleasure."
*****
4. Matt. 10:22...
(22)"And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: BUT HE THAT ENDURETH TO THE END "SHALL BE" BE SAVED!"
**********
SECTION B..."HOW CAN A PERSON BE SAVED?"
*****
THERE ARE ESSENTIALLY (FIVE) STEPS OR STAGES TO BEING SAVED ETERNALLY INTO GOD'S KINGDOM, AND THEY ARE AS FOLLOWS:*****
1. First, it takes FAITH to believe that God exists.
*****
Heb. 11:6..."But without FAITH it is 'IMPOSSIBLE' to please HIM: for he that cometh to GOD MUST BELIEVE THAT HE IS, and that HE IS A REWARDER OF THEM THAT DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM!"*****
2. One must have FAITH to believe that God came to earth INCARNATE, (meaning embodied), IN and AS Christ Jesus, in order to SAVE mankind from their sins.
*****
St. John 8:24..."I said therefore unto you, that YE SHALL DIE IN YOUR SINS: FOR IF YE 'BELIEVE NOT' ...THAT I AM HE - (GOD) - YE SHALL DIE IN YOUR SINS."
*****
3. A believer must be transformed from sin and darkness, acording to their FAITH and CONFESSION IN GOD, through the "symbolic" death, burial, and resurrection of the water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, and through the power of the baptism of the receiving of the Holy Ghost.
(This is how a believer is spiritually "born-again" into the family of God, which is Scripturally known as the 'body of Christ'.
*****
Acts 2:38..."Then Peter said unto them, REPENT, and BE BAPTIZED EVERY ONE OF YOU...IN THE 'NAME' OF JESUS CHRIST...FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS, AND YE SHALL RECEIVE... THE 'GIFT' OF THE HOLY GHOST."
*****
4. Once a believer has accomplished the first three steps above, from there, he or she should continue to "WALK IN THE NEWNESS OF LIFE", being careful to live "DAILY" as in accordance to God's "KINGDOM" governmental laws, which is well recored in HIS written Word - The Bible - and also, to endeavor to witness to those that are yet lost until Jesus returns*****.
Luke 19:12, 13...(12)"He - (Jesus) - said therefore, A certain man, (Jesus is the man illustrated in this parable), went into a far country to receive for Himself a KINGDOM, and to return." (13)"And He called His ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, OCCUPY TILL I COME."
*****
5. The fifth stage in which a believer obtains complete salvation in Christ, deals with maintaining all of the previous stages of Christianity mentioned above until the end of a believers earthly journey.
*****
Matt. 10:22..."And ye shall be hated of all men for MY name's sake: but HE THAT ENDURETH TO THE END SHALL BE SAVED!"
**********
SECTION C..."THE TRUTH ABOUT THE 'SINNERS' PRAYER"
*****
(POINT: THE BIBLE TEACHES US IN 1 PETER 3:12...)
*****
"For the eyes of the Lord are over the RIGHTEOUS and His ears are opened unto THEIR PRAYERS!"
*****
This Scripture tells us that GOD HONORS THE PRAYERS OF THOSE THAT ARE...RIGHTEOUS, meaning IT IS NOT ENOUGH FOR A SINNER TO JUST CONFESS UNTO THE LORD THAT HE IS A SINNER OR THAT HE HAS COMMITTED SIN...
*****
NEITHER CAN A PERSON 'SIMPLY' LIVE A RIGHTEOUS LIFESTYLE BY DOING GOOD WORKS THINKING THIS IS ENOUGH TO BE SAVED INTO GOD'S ETERNAL KINGDOM...
*****
BECAUSE THE BIBLE STRATEGICALLY TEACHES US THAT WE ARE NOT SAVED BY OUR RIGHTEOUS WORKS, NOR CAN WE 'EARN' OUR WAY
IN TO GOD'S GOOD FAVOR AND ETERNAL KINGDOM...
*****
But rather A SINNER MUST ALSO HAVE HIS INITIAL INHERITED SINS FROM ADAM AND EVE REMOVED THROUGH THE WATER BAPTISM IN ...THE NAME...OF JESUS CHRIST as is written in the book of Acts 2:38, because this is biblically the ONLY door that Jesus opened, whereby we can enter in through faith and ultimately be saved!
*****
THUS, THIS IS THE REASOM APOSTLE PETER WAS GIVEN AUTHORITY BY CHRIST TO PREACH THE FIRST NEW TESTAMENT SERMON ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST WHEREBY HE SAID..."REPENT EVERY ONE OF YOU!"
**********
WHY? BECAUSE ALL OF HUMAITY WAS BORN IN SIN!
*****
Now the Bible also teaches us that born-again believers, (those who have already been baptized), DO NOT need to be baptized over again if they make a mistake...but rather THEY CAN BOLDLY GO BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD AND ASK WHAT THEY WILL, INCLUDING CONFESSING THEIR SINS! ...Notice the following Scriptures:
*****
St. John 9:31..."Now we know that God HEARETH NOT SINNERS: BUT if any man be a WORSHIPPER OF GOD, and DOETH HIS WILL, him HE will heareth."
*****
1 Peter 3:21..."The like figure whereunto even BAPTISM DOTH ALSO NOW SAVE US...NOT THE PUTTING AWAY OF THE FILTH OF THE FLESH, BUT THE ANSWER OF A GOOD CONSCIENCE TOWARD GOD, BY THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST." - (Referring to baptism)
*****
HEB. 4:14 - 16...(14)"Seeing then that we have a great high Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, LET US HOLD FAST OUR PROFESSION." - (Continuing to live a consecrated, sanctified, Spirit-filled life every day.)
*****
(15)"For we have not an high Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; BUT WAS IN ALL POINTS TEMPTED LIKE AS WE ARE, YET WITHOUT SIN."
*****
(16)"Let US therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
*****
SUMMARY....
Adam and Eve, being deceived by Satan, took "us" - (mankind) - or rather "sold" us into the "spiritual auction block" of sin. Therefore, the whole Gospel of Jesus Christ outlines His true mission to "redeem" or buy back man from his sins, through the shedding of HIS OWN blood, which occurred through HIS death, burial, and resurrection toward the end of His "earthly" ministry.
*****
The whole "LAW" of God - (which is the "written" word of the Bible), coupled together with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, lays out God's plan for "salvaging" mankind altogether from the wreckage of sin. However, it is ONLY through God's grace wherein He willingly shed His blood on Calvary's cross, that men every where CAN BE saved. (Hab.9:22 / Mark 16:16)
*****
Also notice from above in Matt. 10:22, that Jesus said..."BUT HE THAT ENDURETH TO THE END SHALL BE SAVED."
*****
This implicates that a believer in Christ is NOT AUTOMATICALLY guaranteed to be granted entry into the kingdom of God; but must first prove himself by keeping his faith in Christ through "OBEDIENCE" to HIS word until the end of the believer's "natural born" days.
*****
IN OTHER WORDS, CHRIST CAME TO SET "US" FREE: BUT "WE" AS BELEIVERS IN HIM MUST FIGHT TO STAY FREE, BY NOT GIVING OURSELVES OVER TO THE CONFORMITY OF SATAN AND THIS WORLD!
*****
Rev. Tina K. Platt,
GCOJC.ORG
The answer is, YES! *****
The reason, is so the spiritual family and
Leadership here at 'New World Visions' can
help to encourage your walk with the Lord,
and whether you are an Apostolic believer,
a Christian believer as a whole, or merely
someone who is seeking a better understanding of God's divine purpose for your life... We want you to feel welcome to join
our spiritual community based upon the
following statement:*********
"We shall endeavor to keep the unity of the
Spirit until we ALL come into the unity of the
faith, at the same time admonishing all
brethren that they shall not contend for their
different views to disunity of the body."
Have you registered? Seriously, you must register in order to log in. Have you been banned from the board? (A message will be displayed if you have.) If so, you should contact the webmaster or board administrator to find out why. If you have registered and are not banned and you still cannot log in then check and double-check your username and password. Usually this is the problem; if not, contact the board administrator -- they may have incorrect configuration settings for the board.
You may not have to -- it is up to the administrator of the board as to whether you need to register in order to post messages. However, registration will give you access to additional features not available to guest users such as definable avatar images, private messaging, emailing to fellow users, usergroup subscription, etc. It only takes a few minutes to register so it is recommended you do so.
If you do not check the Log me in automatically box when you log in, the board will only keep you logged in for a preset time. This prevents misuse of your account by anyone else. To stay logged in, check the box during login. This is not recommended if you access the board from a shared computer, e.g. library, internet cafe, university cluster, etc.
In your profile you will find an option Hide your online status; if you switch this on you’ll only appear to board administrators or to yourself. You will be counted as a hidden user.
Don’t panic! While your password cannot be retrieved it can be reset. To do this go to the login page and click I’ve forgotten my password. Follow the instructions and you should be back online in no time.
First check that you are entering the correct username and password. If they are okay then one of two things may have happened: if COPPA support is enabled and you clicked the I am under 13 years old link while registering then you will have to follow the instructions you received. If this is not the case then maybe your account need activating. Some boards will require all new registrations be activated, either by yourself or by the administrator before you can log on. When you registered it would have told you whether activation was required. If you were sent an email then follow the instructions; if you did not receive the email then check that your email address is valid. One reason activation is used is to reduce the possibility of rogue users abusing the board anonymously. If you are sure the email address you used is valid then try contacting the board administrator.
The most likely reasons for this are: you entered an incorrect username or password (check the email you were sent when you first registered) or the administrator has deleted your account for some reason. If it is the latter case then perhaps you did not post anything? It is usual for boards to periodically remove users who have not posted anything so as to reduce the size of the database. Try registering again and get involved in discussions.
All your settings (if you are registered) are stored in the database. To alter them click the Profile link (generally shown at the top of pages but this may not be the case). This will allow you to change all your settings.
The times are almost certainly correct; however, what you may be seeing are times displayed in a timezone different from the one you are in. If this is the case, you should change your profile setting for the timezone to match your particular area, e.g. London, Paris, New York, Sydney, etc. Please note that changing the timezone, like most settings, can only be done by registered users. So if you are not registered, this is a good time to do so, if you pardon the pun!
If you are sure you have set the timezone correctly and the time is still different, the most likely answer is daylight savings time (or summer time as it is known in the UK and other places). The board is not designed to handle the changeovers between standard and daylight time so during summer months the time may be an hour different from the real local time.
The most likely reasons for this are either the administrator did not install your language or someone has not translated this board into your language. Try asking the board administrator if they can install the language pack you need or if it does not exist, please feel free to create a new translation. More information can be found at the phpBB Group website (see link at bottom of pages)
There may be two images below a username when viewing posts. The first is an image associated with your rank; generally these take the form of stars or blocks indicating how many posts you have made or your status on the forums. Below this may be a larger image known as an avatar; this is generally unique or personal to each user. It is up to the board administrator to enable avatars and they have a choice over the way in which avatars can be made available. If you are unable to use avatars then this is the decision of the board admin and you should ask them their reasons (we’re sure they’ll be good!)
In general you cannot directly change the wording of any rank (ranks appear below your username in topics and on your profile depending on the style used). Most boards use ranks to indicate the number of posts you have made and to identify certain users. For example, moderators and administrators may have a special rank. Please do not abuse the board by posting unnecessarily just to increase your rank -- you will probably find the moderator or administrator will simply lower your post count.
Sorry, but only registered users can send email to people via the built-in email form (if the admin has enabled this feature). This is to prevent malicious use of the email system by anonymous users.
Easy -- click the relevant button on either the forum or topic screens. You may need to register before you can post a message. The facilities available to you are listed at the bottom of the forum and topic screens (the You can post new topics, You can vote in polls, etc. list)
Unless you are the board admin or forum moderator you can only edit or delete your own posts. You can edit a post (sometimes for only a limited time after it was made) by clicking the edit button for the relevant post. If someone has already replied to the post, you will find a small piece of text output below the post when you return to the topic that lists the number of times you edited it. This will only appear if no one has replied; it also will not appear if moderators or administrators edit the post (they should leave a message saying what they altered and why). Please note that normal users cannot delete a post once someone has replied.
To add a signature to a post you must first create one; this is done via your profile. Once created you can check the Add Signature box on the posting form to add your signature. You can also add a signature by default to all your posts by checking the appropriate radio box in your profile. You can still prevent a signature being added to individual posts by un-checking the add signature box on the posting form.
Creating a poll is easy -- when you post a new topic (or edit the first post of a topic, if you have permission) you should see a Add Poll form below the main posting box. If you cannot see this then you probably do not have rights to create polls. You should enter a title for the poll and then at least two options -- to set an option type in the poll question and click the Add option button. You can also set a time limit for the poll, 0 being an infinite amount. There will be a limit to the number of options you can list, which is set by the board administrator
As with posts, polls can only be edited by the original poster, a moderator, or board administrator. To edit a poll, click the first post in the topic, which always has the poll associated with it. If no one has cast a vote then users can delete the poll or edit any poll option. However, if people have already placed votes only moderators or administrators can edit or delete it; this is to prevent people rigging polls by changing options mid-way through a poll
Some forums may be limited to certain users or groups. To view, read, post, etc. you may need special authorization which only the forum moderator and board administrator can grant, so you should contact them.
Only registered users can vote in polls so as to prevent spoofing of results. If you have registered and still cannot vote then you probably do not have appropriate access rights.
BBCode is a special implementation of HTML. Whether you can use BBCode is determined by the administrator. You can also disable it on a per post basis from the posting form. BBCode itself is similar in style to HTML: tags are enclosed in square braces [ and ] rather than < and > and it offers greater control over what and how something is displayed. For more information on BBCode see the guide which can be accessed from the posting page.
That depends on whether the administrator allows you to; they have complete control over it. If you are allowed to use it, you will probably find only certain tags work. This is a safety feature to prevent people from abusing the board by using tags which may destroy the layout or cause other problems. If HTML is enabled you can disable it on a per post basis from the posting form.
Smileys, or Emoticons, are small graphical images which can be used to express some feeling using a short code, e.g. :) means happy, :( means sad. The full list of emoticons can be seen via the posting form. Try not to overuse smileys, though, as they can quickly render a post unreadable and a moderator may decide to edit them out or remove the post altogether.
Images can indeed be shown in your posts. However, there is no facility at present for uploading images directly to this board. Therefore you must link to an image stored on a publicly accessible web server, e.g. You cannot link to pictures stored on your own PC (unless it is a publicly accessible server) nor to images stored behind authentication mechanisms such as Hotmail or Yahoo mailboxes, password-protected sites, etc. To display the image use either the BBCode [img] tag or appropriate HTML (if allowed).
Announcements often contain important information and you should read them as soon as possible. Announcements appear at the top of every page in the forum to which they are posted. Whether or not you can post an announcement depends on the permissions required, which are set by the administrator.
Sticky topics appear below any announcements in viewforum and only on the first page. They are often quite important so you should read them where possible. As with announcements the board administrator determines what permissions are required to post sticky topics in each forum.
Locked topics are set this way by either the forum moderator or board administrator. You cannot reply to locked topics and any poll contained inside is automatically ended. Topics may be locked for many reasons.
Administrators are people assigned the highest level of control over the entire board. These people can control all facets of board operation which include setting permissions, banning users, creating usergroups or moderators, etc. They also have full moderator capabilities in all the forums.
Moderators are individuals (or groups of individuals) whose job it is to look after the running of the forums from day to day. They have the power to edit or delete posts and lock, unlock, move, delete and split topics in the forum they moderate. Generally moderators are there to prevent people going off-topic or posting abusive or offensive material.
Usergroups are a way in which board administrators can group users. Each user can belong to several groups (this differs from most other boards) and each group can be assigned individual access rights. This makes it easy for administrators to set up several users as moderators of a forum, or to give them access to a private forum, etc.
To join a usergroup click the usergroup link on the page header (dependent on template design) and you can then view all usergroups. Not all groups are open access -- some are closed and some may even have hidden memberships. If the board is open then you can request to join it by clicking the appropriate button. The user group moderator will need to approve your request; they may ask why you want to join the group. Please do not pester a group moderator if they turn your request down -- they will have their reasons.
Usergroups are initially created by the board administrator who also assigns a board moderator. If you are interested in creating a usergroup then your first point of contact should be the administrator, so try dropping them a private message.
There are three reasons for this; you are not registered and/or not logged on, the board administrator has disabled private messaging for the entire board, or the board administrator has prevented you individually from sending messages. If it is the latter case you should try asking the administrator why.
In the future we will be adding an ignore list to the private messaging system. For now, though, if you keep receiving unwanted private messages from someone, inform the board administrator -- they have the power to prevent a user from sending private messages at all.
We are sorry to hear that. The email form feature of this board includes safeguards to try to track users who send such posts. You should email the board administrator with a full copy of the email you received and it is very important this include the headers (these list details of the user that sent the email). They can then take action.
This software (in its unmodified form) is produced, released and is copyrighted phpBB Group. It is made available under the GNU General Public License and may be freely distributed; see link for more details. Forumotion hosts and update this forum for free. Modifications/deletions/functionalities additions have been done compared to the original script.’,2=>’440’)
This software was written by and licensed through phpBB Group. If you believe a feature needs to be added then please visit the phpbb.com website and see what the phpBB Group has to say. Please do not post feature requests to the board at phpbb.com, as the Group uses sourceforge to handle tasking of new features. Please read through the forums and see what, if any, our position may already be for features and then follow the procedure given there. If you think a function must be added, please visit the support forum and see what other users and administrators think about it.
You should contact the administrator of this board. If you cannot find who that is, you should first contact one of the forum moderators and ask them who you should in turn contact. If still get no response you should contact use the litigation tool (by clicking here)
