When we consider God, a being that is almighty who created everything that existed we don't usually think that there are things God cannot do. There are many things man can’t do, but there are also things God can’t do. That’s right God can’t do all things. It is not because He is unable to, that He is limited in power in any way. It is because of who He is in nature. There are guidelines that even God cannot step over. For example God cannot be God and not be God at the same time. He cannot create another God from a creature that would be made equal with himself. The secondary God would be derived from and dependent on the first so it would be finite. Since he had a beginning it could not be as powerful as its originator. One of the first requirements for being God is to be be infinite and eternal, so a created god does not qualify for the job description of being God.

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), July 13, 2003

Answers

1. It is impossible for God to lie.

Can God make two plus two equal five? It is impossible for God to lie, so he is consistent with truth which has absolutes.His standard of right and wrong does not change.

Heb.6:18 He can’t lie = he can’t break a unconditional promise what he says he will fulfill. He is the truth, there is no darkness in him. He cannot go back on His Word.

When he told Abraham to take his only son and put him on the altar, Abraham knew that if God allowed him to have Isaac killed he would have had to raise him up back to life. This is because he already promised Abraham that through Isaac the promises of his Covenant would come.

God can never send another flood over the whole earth like he did in Noah's day. Its not that he doesn't have the ability, He can’t do it because He promised He never would do it again (the rainbow is there to remind us of this truth). God’s nature is inclined to truth which means He keep His promises.

2.Can God make a rock so big that even he can’t lift it? If he can’t lift it then he is not all powerful. Then the rock has become more powerful than God and whatever is more powerful than God is God. God has infinite qualities not finite, God can only do things that are possible he can’t make square circles or a two sided triangle. It is asking God to bring about a logically contradictory state to his own nature.

This is what is called a category mistake to say he can make something he can’t lift. Its like asking a bachelor what his wife’s name is? What does the color yellow taste like. Color doesn’t taste. Its not possible for God to make a rock so big that even he can’t lift it. If he can make it he can lift it. If he can create it , he can destroy it. . It does not show that God has a limit to his power which means he does not possess infinite power. This means whatever he created is under his jurisdiction under his control, it can never have equality.

"Whatever implies being and nonbeing simultaneously is incompatible with the absolute possibility which falls under divine omnipotence. Such a contradiction is not subject to it, not from any impotence in God, but because it simply does not have the nature of being feasible or possible. Whatever, then, does not involve a contradiction is in the realm of the possible with respect to which God is omnipotent. Whatever involves a contradiction is not within the scope of omnipotence because it cannot qualify for possibility. Better, however, to say that it cannot be done, rather than God cannot do it." (T. Aquinas Summa Theologica p. 163-164 , Volume I, ques. 15 ans. 3)

3.Can God stop being God or stop existing? The nature of God is infinite meaning no end. God's unchanging moral character is a moral absolute. This includes holiness, justice, love, mercy and truth. God is who He is forever and is the only constant thing (being) in the universe. Only created things subject to time and space which are of a non eternal substance can change. God could not change if he wanted to (which he would not ) Because he is the highest and ultimate state of perfection. Words fail to describe at this point the state God is in.

4. He is not free to act contrary to his nature that is permanent. Does this mean he is not all powerful? No- it means that as a perfect and unchangeable being His commands and actions are rooted in the ultimate good which flow from his nature. God's moral character does not change. "I the Lord change not "Mal.3:6. There is no shadow of change with God (Jm.1:17).

His nature is eternal. He cannot say tomorrow I’ll act like the devil for a while or sin as man does. What God has been, He will always be, (the I Am). He is completely self sufficient within himself.

5.God cannot sin, Holiness is part of his intrinsic nature, He cannot do otherwise.

6.God cannot learn anything new. Before He created anything He knew all about it. There is no progression in knowledge for God as their is with man. God has no limitations on anything that He can create.

7.God cannot answer every prayer you want but only those that are in accordance to His will being done on earth. He cannot answer prayers that would do the very opposite of His purposes.

8. God is always right-When God does something, it is not right because He did it. It is right because it is right. It is not good because God chose it, therefore it must be good! God chose it because it is good, God wills it because it is good, it’s not good simply because he wills it or chose it to be. God is not arbitrary or capricious. He knows the greater good because he possesses all knowledge. All of nature shows this to be true. Order is of the greater design and objective, chaos is not. To preserve life is the greater good, to take life is not, (exceptions are the rarity). This is because all flow from His moral nature. So while God is all powerful he cannot act or think contrary to his perfect eternal unlimited nature, which is the ultimate moral good.

Isn't good to know there is a being in charge of the whole universe who is perfect in his judgments and choices, keeps His promises and never does wrong. That should be a comfort for those who are for him instead of against him.

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), July 13, 2003.

Copied from L.U.R.M.

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), July 13, 2003.

For your information, God created everything... Including the laws of physics, math, and science... Sin by it's very nature is nothing more than the rejection of God in youre life. You mind is clouded with sin, therefore causing you to try to find a limit to Gods awesome power. Us as humans wanted the "Knowledge of Good and Evil" therefore we started the sin that corupted our lives.

If you want to make an excuse from a humans limited brain not to belive in the Lord, who is infinitely unexplainable, then you have no logic.

-- John A. Williams (Orion_authority@attbi.com), July 14, 2003.

John A. Williams says "If you want to make an excuse from a humans limited brain not to belive in the Lord, who is infinitely unexplainable, then you have no logic."

I am not making an excuse to not believe in the Lord Jehovah.

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), July 14, 2003.

I can't believe you consider yourself so "all-knowing" regarding the nature and scope of God.

It is not so much that I disagree with you, as I find it completely amusing that you speak with such perceived authority.

Don't get me wrong...this is not a personal attack. I think that you have faith is very important. I have taken great issue with your need to attack catholics and other religions because their beliefs do not parallel your own.

If you truly believe you're "saved" then stop judging. Remove the beam from your eye. Remember..."judge and you shall be judged".

Jesus was a great teacher...he gave two commandments...Love God, and Love your neighbor. Love your neighbor, Mr. Ortiz. Love does not obsess with pointing out flaws. Love does not compare and judge. Love nurtures. Love embraces. Love accepts.

And, no...I'm not catholic.

-- The Roamer (The_Roamer69@hotmail.com), July 14, 2003.

Well if you think that the Lord has limits... then you belive in the wrong god. God created everything. Even that cloud you call a brain.

-- John A. Williams (Orion_authority@attbi.com), July 14, 2003.

I believe all things are possible with Jehovah- God, but only in his nature. He cannot lie, sin, or do anything that's not in his nature

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), July 14, 2003.

You apparently don't realize how many millions of people are enslaved to their false religion. Love is the truth. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 10:24, "Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth." I want to see Catholics saved, and not trusting in their multi-billion dollar organization to get them to heaven (it'll never work). The bible says something about false religions, "have NO fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Ephesians 5:11

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), July 14, 2003.

Sir, I do not doubt that you belive in God.... but as I see it, Sin is the rejection of that which God has so greatfully given us. You are right... He does not sin, Nor can he... It is curious, but sin can also cause strife between true belivers. Differences about the theoretical. But know this, if you belive in the Lord Jesus, then you are my friend and my brother. Jesus will re-unite us at the end, and we will see the only thing that is important: Jesus died for you and me because he loved us. He saves us the same way by reaching into this world of sin, and cleansing us with his blood.

In Christ,

John

-- John A. Williams (Orion_authority@attbi.com), July 15, 2003.

Yes, by faith alone are we saved.

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), July 15, 2003.

No David we are NOT saved by faith alone. Please go back and re-read James chapter 2, especially verse 24 which states, "You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only."

-- Kevin Walker (kevinlwalker572@cs.com), July 16, 2003.

Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. (NKJ). That is what I mean by "faith alone".

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), July 16, 2003.

David,

We are saved THROUGH FAITH, there is NO mention of the word ALONE anywhere in the text, nor is it even hinted that one is saved by anything ALONE. We are saved by many things, but NOT one thing ALONE.

We are saved by the Blood of Christ, but how does the Blood of Christ save us and how do we contact Jesus Blood that was shed on the cross?

-- Kevin Walker (kevinlwalker572@cs.com), July 16, 2003.

Are we (saved)justified by faith?

1. John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."
2. Rom. 3:22, "even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction."
3. Rom. 3:24, "being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;"
4. Rom. 3:26, "for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus."
5. Rom. 3:28-30, "For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one."
6. Rom. 4:3, "For what does the Scripture say? "And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness."
7. Rom. 4:5, "But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness,"
8. Rom. 4:11, "And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also,"
9. Rom. 4:16, "Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all."
10. Rom. 5:1, "therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,"
11.Rom. 5:9, "Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him."
12. Rom. 9:30, "What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith."
13. Rom. 9:33, "just as it is written, “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.”
14. Rom. 10:4, "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes."
15. Rom. 10:9- 10, "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation."
16. Rom. 11:6, "But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace."
17. Gal. 2:16, "nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified."
18. Gal. 2:21, “I do not nullify the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”
19. Gal.3:5-6, "Does He then, who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness."
20. Gal. 3:8, "And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "All the nations shall be blessed in you."
21. Gal. 3:14, "in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."
22. Gal. 3:22, "But the Scripture has shut up all men under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe."
23. Gal. 3:24, "Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, that we may be justified by faith."
24. Eph. 1:13, "In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise."
25. Eph. 2:8, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God."
26. Phil. 3:9, "and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith."
27. 1 Tim. 1:16, "And yet for this reason I found mercy, in order that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience, as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life."

The scriptures clearly teach that we are saved (justified) by faith in Christ and what He has done on the cross. This faith alone saves us.

What about works? James is examining two kinds of faith: one that leads to godly works and one that does not. One is true, and the other is false. One is dead, the other alive; for this reason, "Faith without works is dead," (James 2:20).

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), July 16, 2003.

David,

You wrote, "The scriptures clearly teach that we are saved (justified) by faith in Christ and what He has done on the cross. This faith alone saves us."

There you go again using the word "ALONE" with the word faith. There is NO mention in the word of God that we are saved by faith ALONE. The scriptures do teach that we are saved by faith, but NOT by faith ALONE.

You wrote, "What about works? James is examining two kinds of faith: one that leads to godly works and one that does not. One is true, and the other is false. One is dead, the other alive; for this reason, "Faith without works is dead," (James 2:20)."

No, James is telling us that FAITH ALONE is dead if it does NOT have works because even the demons have faith, but they are NOT saved. Until one's faith prompts them to OBEY all of the CONDITIONS that Jesus has stated are required in order to be saved, then one is NOT saved. To claim that FAITH ALONE saves, you are guilty of cutting out REPENTANCE, CONFESSION and BAPTISM as NOT necessary for salvation.

-- Kevin Walker (kevinlwalker572@cs.com), July 17, 2003.

Saying that baptism is necessary for salvation is dangerous because it is saying that there is something we must do to complete salvation. See Gal. 2:21; 5:4.

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), July 17, 2003.

David,

You wrote, "Saying that baptism is necessary for salvation is dangerous because it is saying that there is something we must do to complete salvation. That is wrong! See Gal. 2:21; 5:4."

Yes David there is something we MUST do in order to be saved. What did the apostle Peter tell those on the day of Pentecost? "Be saved from this perverse generation." (Acts 2:40). So, there is MOST DEFINITELY something one must DO in order to be saved.

You mentioned Galatians 2:21, let's look at that verse. Paul stated in this verse, "I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain." What LAW was the apostle Paul speaking of? It was the LAW OF MOSES that Paul was speaking of in this verse. Paul was rebuking the Galatians for trying to be justified by the LAW OF MOSES for he told them in Galatians 3:2 "...Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?" We know from Romans 10:17 that FAITH comes by HEARING the word of God. This is why Paul admonished them in Galatians 5:4 that they had become estranged from Christ because of this very reason.

-- Kevin Walker (kevinlwalker572@cs.com), July 17, 2003.

The greatest Biblical example that proves this doctrine is the criminal crucified next to Jesus, who placed his faith in Christ and was saved. This man who Christians often call the "good thief" asked Jesus to "remember me when you enter your kingdom". Jesus responded by promising him that he would be in Paradise that very day (Luke 23:32-33, 39-43). Had Jesus not responded verbally to the thief's request, many Christians today would tell you that there is ":no way" that man was saved.

The "good thief" lived his life as a criminal, finally being sentenced to death for it. In the end, he made an "easy death-bed" confession of faith, doing nothing more than believing in Jesus:

He didn't walk an aisle to "publicly proclaim his decision" or to "seal his commitment"; He was never baptized; He never made restitution for what he had done; He never showed fruit or a changed life, or any other "evidence" of repentance; He never spoke in tongues; He didn't "make Jesus Lord"; He didn't "invite Jesus into his heart"; He didn't recite the sinner's prayer; He never joined or became active in a church; He never received "the second blessing" nor was he ever "slain in the spirit"; He never "shed tears of repentance"; He never sang "Do Lord", threw a twig on a fire, or committed his life to full-time service; God didn't heal him, rescue him, or bless him with material assets or good health; And "worse" of all, he never tithed, made a pledge, "planted a seed", or gave one penny of his money.

The "good thief" simply placed his faith totally in Jesus Christ. He believed in a situation where he had "nothing to lose" by doing so, on a "death-bed" when it couldn't have been more "convenient", where it didn't cost him a thing. Today's "fruit inspectors" would have this man burning in hell had Jesus not told us different.

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), July 17, 2003.

The jailer cried out to Paul this question. "What must I do to be saved? Paul said," believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved."

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), July 17, 2003.

David,

The thief died under the LAW OF MOSES. The gospel was preached on Pentecost and they were told what to do in order to be saved. [Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins]. The extraordinary case of the thief proves NOTHING and is simply NOT relevant to our situation today. Remember, Jesus had the power on earth to forgive sins. (See Matthew 9:6, Mark 2:10). The religion of Christianity and the necessity of water immersion came into effect AFTER the cross. (See Colossians 2:14, Hebrews 9:15-17).

As for the Philippian jailor, you make the same mistake your denominational brethren make in that you stop at Acts 16:31 which states, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." If all they had to do was BELIEVE, there would have been NO reason for Paul and Silas to speak the word of the Lord to them as verse 32 states. Please also notice that the jailor did NOT rejoice until AFTER he was baptized for he was NOT a member of the church UNTIL he had completed this final act of faith in OBEDIENCE to the gospel of Christ.

-- Kevin Walker (kevinlwalker572@cs.com), July 17, 2003.

Baptism is simply a step of obedience to the Lord following our repentance and confession of sin. Our obedience ( water baptism, prayer, good works, fellowship, witnessing, etc) comes from our faith in Christ. Salvation is not what we do, but Who we have.
"He that has the Son has life; and he that has not the Son of God has not life" (1 John 5:12)

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), July 17, 2003.

Kevin, before you answer, please take your topics to these two other threads. Do we need to be Baptized to be saved?

Are there conditions for salvation?

Let's try and stick to one topic at one thread.

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), July 17, 2003.

David,

Very well, I will answer your post on baptism in that thread.

-- Kevin Walker (kevinlwalker572@cs.com), July 17, 2003.

OK... let me get this straight... We have to do something in order to be saved? (other than belive in your heart that Jesus died for my sins and was raised from the dead)...

So lets just say that you are stranded on a desert island, and you had no idea of Jesus.. (same if you were in a 3rd world country jungle and never heard it either).. So if one day you heard the good news, accepted the Lord as your savior, and asked him for forgivness, then you could not partake in the wonderful gift that he is offering us?... Hum-bug to that... All you need to do is belive in Jesus, if you think that you need works to get into heaven, then go to a Catholic church.

-- John A. Williams (Orion_authority@attbi.com), July 18, 2003.

John,

People who REFUSE TO ACCEPT God's WORD, are always throwing this type of ridiculous hypothetical situation at us, "What if a person decides to be Baptized into Jesus but are then immediately killed by a speeding camel?" etc..., etc... Well can I ask you, What about the person who would have 'Prayed Jesus into their heart' but were tragically struck down and killed by that same speeding camel? What about them?

Only the Scriptures prove doctrine (2 Tim. 3:16). The question has always been "What must I do..." The response has ALWAYS biblically been BAPTISM. Acts 4:12 gives us the only name under heaven by which we may be saved.

Don't be fooled by a hypothetical doctrine, which CANNOT and DOES NOT accept the truth of God's WORD. You DO NOT believe God's WORD, Mark 16:16, (or any of the other passages that say that baptism is a requirement for salvation) but instead you perpetrate this LIE, as you defile the WORD of God and change it to say; "Whoever believes is saved, without being baptized because God is so merciful that He will allow them into paradise even though they didn't have a chance to Obey because they were killed prior to being baptized or they had no water in which to be baptized. But the God of the universe who says that His Word is PERFECT declares that; "Whoever believes and is baptized, WILL BE SAVED..."

-- Kevin Walker (kevinlwalker572@cs.com), July 18, 2003.

please state the verse in the bible to the passage you wrote:

"But the God of the universe who says that His Word is PERFECT declares that; 'Whoever believes and is baptized, WILL BE SAVED...' "

-- John A. Williams (Orion_authority@attbi.com), July 19, 2003.

John,

The verse is in Mark 16:16 which states, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved"

-- Kevin Walker (kevinlwalker572@cs.com), July 19, 2003.

Note: He who believes

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), August 04, 2003.

Note also the words and is baptized WILL BE SAVED.

-- Kevin Walker (kevinlwalker572@cs.com), August 04, 2003.

Anyways, it's nice to know that there are somethings Satan cannot do too! (e.g. Satan can't read minds, etc.)

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), August 05, 2003.

I'm responding to the original post about the "things that God cannot do".

i'm not sure that i believe there is anything He cannot do.

in fact, i see no reason why He could not change His mind and become anything He wanted.

if this is not true, He is not God. that of which the mind can concieve no greater.

in my mind, i can concieve of a God that can create other gods; that can do things that the analysis posted by D.O. above deems binding upon God. the God that is limited is a human stereotype, our utopian god.

if God wanted, He could cease to be omnipotent. otherwise, He is not omnipotent.

He could, if He wanted, devolve all His powers upon me.

for that reason, i am very sceptical about the "God loves you" approach. my intuition tells me that I should, first and foremost, fear God.

nonsense maybe, but that's what the world used to believe. fire and brimstone. the eternal suffering of Hell. the absolute necessity to please God, rather than to "buddy up" with Him.

-- Ian (ib@vertifgo.com), January 08, 2004.

After reading Ian's post, I suppose that God could instantly snap his fingers and delete everything that has ever existed. In such a case, what would anything matter anymore? Why have a future plan? I guess this is why humans cannot entertain such an idea, even if that idea is possible.

..................................

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), January 08, 2004.

"...God could instantly snap his fingers and delete everything that has ever existed."

if He couldn't, would He be omnipotent? would He be God if i, a mere human, could concieve of a greater go?

"In such a case, what would anything matter anymore?"

who knows.

"Why have a future plan? I guess this is why humans cannot entertain such an idea, even if that idea is possible."

suppose so.

-- Ian (ib@vertifgo.com), January 08, 2004.