Christ promised eternal life to His sheep.
2007-01-05 13:53:19 · 16 answers · asked by Charles H 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
his sheep but not humans
2007-01-05 13:55:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
No, one person will accept Jesus and follow him, whereas another person will not.
Sheep are mentioned in the Bible over 200 times. As Smith’s Bible Dictionary explains, “the sheep is an emblem of meekness, patience, and submission.” In Isaiah chapter 53, Jesus himself was prophetically likened to a sheep. How fitting that he should compare his followers to the same animal! But which particular characteristics of sheep did Jesus have in mind?
“My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me,” said Jesus. (John 10:27) He thus highlighted the meekness of his disciples and their eagerness to follow him. Literal sheep listen to their shepherd and willingly follow him. The shepherd also has a close attachment to the flock.
A flock may be scattered across a meadow when grazing, but each sheep keeps in contact with the group as a whole. Thus, when the animals feel insecure or frightened, “they can hurriedly gather together. If sheep run away to escape danger, they do so as a flock, stopping at times to reassess the situation. “Fleeing in stages allows lambs and weaker animals to keep up. The herd even offers them special protection.” What can we learn from this behavior?
True Christians today are not scattered among the denominations and sects of Christendom. Instead, they are gathered into one flock. Each Christian feels a personal attachment to this flock of God, and this contributes to the unity of the organization.
2007-01-06 01:36:55 · answer #2 · answered by BJ 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yup, sheep don't lead the Shepherd. Read those verses for what they are, we do not have the ability to choose him, we're not in charge. Yes, these verses embrace predestination and the "once saved, always saved" doctrine quite nicely.
2007-01-08 21:37:18 · answer #3 · answered by ccrider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a metaphore as He is our Shepard; the leader of His sheep. And it only applies to those who believe in Him (John 10:26)
2007-01-05 21:56:51 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Read the earlier part of Chapter 10 for context. He is talking about believers who choose to follow him. They will know to listen to him. I don’t see how this would suggest predestination.
25 Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one."
2007-01-05 22:03:56 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
No!
It suggests that we are free moral agents and are given an opportunity to listen to the Greatest Teacher mankind will ever know.
To be a sheep of Chirst, means you are humble and teachable.
2007-01-05 21:59:49 · answer #6 · answered by Here I Am 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
His sheep are those who have come to him, of their own free will, and accepted his gift of salvation and grace. Christ does give eternal life to those who accept him. The confusion here is that because God knows who will and who will not accept that gift, that he chose who would. Not true, it is the choice of every person to make that decision, it is just that he knows who will and who will not for he is beginning and end. He knows what will happen from the beginning to the end.
2007-01-05 21:57:38 · answer #7 · answered by Gardener for God(dmd) 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
It does not suggest predestination. All are called, but few choose to go on.
When they hear the voice of God and come, that is when they were predestined, not before.
2007-01-05 21:57:04 · answer #8 · answered by Ignatious 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
no i think when you become saved you hear GODS voice anyother voice would be satan so NO NO NO NOOOOOOOOO there is not a predestiny EVERYBODY IS GIVEN THE SAME CHANCE TO BECOME SAVED AS MUCH AS THE NEXT ONE whomever has come up with the predestined philosophy is what Jesus spoke of IN THE LAST DAYS EVEN THE VERY ELECT WILL BE PERSUADED TO ABANDON THE TRUTH & follow after deceiving spirits
2007-01-05 21:58:55 · answer #9 · answered by edward l 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Unless Jesus can't be trusted then His sheep that He knows can't be lost.
John 15:16
You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit
2007-01-05 21:56:19 · answer #10 · answered by beek 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Hardly. It simply means that right hearted ones will recognize the ring of truth in the words which are carried to them by the faithful ones.
2007-01-05 22:18:09 · answer #11 · answered by Sparkle1 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋