I need a serious christian only answer.?

Question

How do you differentiate between Jesus speaking about the disciples and when he spoke of future generations?My example being when Jesus said'this generation shall not pass..."the standard answer is he wasn't talking about the disciples,he was referring to a future generation.But then when Jesus says in John 14:12Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Then I get the answer that Jesus wasn't referring to future generations performing miracles,but to the disciples only. Where do you draw the line if you get my question. Haters need not reply,and if you are afraid of being bashed,feel free to email me. Serious question,does anyone have a serious answer?

Answer 1

I will try to give you an honest answer, from my own understanding of these passages. However, I ought to tell you that my POV is considered pretty unconventional by alot of people...mostly, other Christians.
To begin with, alot of Christians don't seem to understand that a prophecy is often preceded in history...sort of a "foreshadowing".
The first passage you mentioned, I believe, comes from Matthew 24. Here, Jesus speaks of things that are about to happen, will continue to happen, and will come to completion some time in the future. The disciples had asked Jesus when the end would be, and He was giving them a run-down of events that would come to pass, culminating in the end...and that final generation, He says, will not pass till all these things be fulfilled. No "secret rapture", no last minute escapes, no miraculous rescue...be ready to put on that armor and stand, cuz it's gonna get rough. I know this is going to come as a shock and a disappointment to those Christians who are looking to get snatched out of danger just before the...erm..."stuff" hits the fan, but they need to put some iron in their backbones, cuz the battle is only just beginning.
I hope that helps...now let's look at the other passage you are asking about.
OK, technically, we could say that Jesus is referring to His disciples here, but, I believe He meant all of His disciples...by extension, me, and all other Christians alive today, and Christians that may be born in the future....
So, how are any of us doing greater works than Jesus did?
Well, let's think about it for a second. Consider Lazarus. Now, certainly, I am not about to claim that I could call a person who has been in his grave for several days, and he would get up and walk out. That would be silly. Next thing, you would want to see me actually do it, and we both know I can't...nor can anyone else.
But...where is Lazarus right now? I mean, if Jesus brought him back to life, why can't I go and visit him?
Don't mistake me, here, I believe that Jesus did have the power to call Lazarus from his grave, and I believe He did do so. However, Lazarus did eventually die...
But, when I, or any other Christian, lead someone to Christ, they have the gift of eternal life! To be sure, they have this gift because Jesus went back to His Father...but Jesus has graciously left the miracle of bringing people to His great gift through His disciples. That is, He graciously allows someone like me to have the joy of bringing someone like maybe you, to Jesus, and that person will now live forever, on past the grave! If that doesn't stir your blood, I don't know what will!
To be sure, many Christians do have the ability to do "miracles"...that is, they do do things that defy natural laws. For instance, I know a young lady who was given the ability to speak to a lady in the old Hawiian dialect she had not heard since she was a child. Her grandmother, it seemed, used to speak to her in that tongue. She never spoke Hawiian before, and can't do it today, but, breifly, she did.
I can think of several other cases, but I hate long answers...and this one is already too long. Sorry 'bout that!
I do hope this helps you.
And may God richly bless you!

Answer 2

The word "generation" comes from the Hebrew genea, meaning a generation; by implication an age. It could be used either to mean the generation of the those he was speaking to only or it could refer to an age which, in this case, is an indeterminate length of time.

I won't bore you with lots of copied and pasted verses of scripture...it's easy enough to look up. But I will share what I've discovered:

The word is used 42 times in the NT and depending on the context in which He's speaking, He uses the word both ways. Most of the time though, He appears to be speaking of an age, which means from the time of His ministry until His return.

In the case of Mathew 24, He's prophesizing about His return. When He said "this generation shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled.", He's clearly saying that he won't return until the prophesies have been fulfilled...that this age we're living in, won't be over until that time. His return will usher in a new age or generation.

In John 14:12 He is also talking about this age although he doesn't use the word generation here. What He's talking about is faith just as he spoke of it in Mathew 17:20 where he rebukes the disciples for not having enough faith and talks about having the faith of a mustard seed and "ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you"

If the disciples didn't yet have enough faith to do miracles, how can any of us say we do? That's why we can't do miracles...yet. There may have been (are) people that have enough faith to do some miracles...it's possible that some of the "faith healers" aren't all fakes. Or maybe we'll have to wait for his return before we have the faith we need.

Hope this answers your question.

Answer 3

It isnt an inconsistancy. It is a matter of slowing down, and really trying to read and comprehend who, what, when, where and why.
The translation you have may be difficult to follow, I have 5 Bibles, and if I cant understand the way it is worded in one(for example king james) I will cross reference in the others(my favorite is the CompleteJewish Bible translated by David H Stern, it is super easy to read and understand, it uses the modern English we are accustomed to. ) Anyway, lets see if this translation helps, ;
Matthew24:32- Now, let the fig leaf teach you it'd lesson: when it's branches begin to sprout and leaves appear, you know that summer is approaching. In the same way, when you see all these things, you are to know that the time is near, right at the door. Yes! I tell you that this people, will certainly not pass away before all these things happen. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.But when that day or hour will come, no one knows- not the angels in heaven, not the Son, only the Father.
So, can you see it now? He was speaking to them, about a future event.
John 14:12-Yes indeed! I tell you that whoever trusts in me will also do the works I do! Indeed, he will do greater ones, because I am going to the Father. In fact, whatever you ask for in my name, I will do; so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me for something in my name, I will do it.
Way easier to understand,huh! You can get it at Barnes&Noble, or just about anywhere. Shalom,

Answer 4

Well, I do think that the second quote (John 14) from JC does count us today. He was only able to preach for 3 years before he was killed. We have the chance to use our whole life as a preaching tool in the name of JC. We have the ability to preach to more people and of many different races and nations. It was applicable to his disciples at the time, too, in regards to the same thing - they would have the ability to reach more people and some were even able to perform miracles like that of JC.
The first quote - this generation shall not pass - also had some or partial completion in those days of JC's disciples because in 70 C.E. Jerusalem was destroyed. It will, however, have a full completion in the near future.
So to me, both scriptures/prophetic messages had some completion in JC's day and will have a more complete fulfillment in the days to come.

Answer 5

I may not be Christian, but I feel I can contribute fairly to this. Regardless of whether or not porn/masturbation is a sin, it is something you are against, and that is the important thing. He's willing to sacrifice that for you. To you, this may not be a big deal, but if he's been using it for a while, then he's used to it. I'm not sure if it was the combo that bothered you, or each part. If he's ditching the porn, ok, but if you insist that he stops masturbating, too, you're going to have trouble. Without that release, his years-long habit of keeping his desires under control will be gone, and he'll be very lusty. Regardless of your view, I recommend letting him masturbate... if nothing else, till marriage, when you would then be able to satisfy him. Also, within Christian doctrine, there is none without sin, and Jesus forgives all sin. If he's willing to change... why would you consider dumping him for past sins? I assure you, you will never find any human on Earth who doesn't have a problem with sin in some way or another. Whether its lying, having too loose a tongue when angry (verbal abuse) etc, everyone has a problem. If you truly love the man, and feel that he loves you, then do as Jesus commanded: forgive him and move on. The fact he's willing to sacrifice it for you is a major sign of his devotion to you.

Answer 6

John 14:12Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

"Believeth on me" is present tense.
Whoever believes whether then or now or later or whenever.

Answer 7

I happen to one of those Christians who believe that Jesus was indeed referring to THOSE disciples and THAT generation and not future ones.

Today you have all kinds of Christian sects doing all kinds of legalistic and logical, symbolism and deductions and calculations and fortune telling and prophesy foretelling about when the world will end.

But you should know that Future fulfillment is not an orginal Christian doctrine. It came about much later on. You should do some more research on this.

Look up, 'End Times' doctrine and 'End of The World" doctrines and were and when they started.

Answer 8

Both are referring to His disciples as well as future generations until the day of judgement.

Answer 9

Jesus was referring to us all. To the people he was speaking with, becuase he knew the day would come when he would join the father soon.
He also referred to us now. Have you never seen a miracle of God, I have and these miracles took place because people of God let themselves be used by God. Cancer, Aids, the uncurable the hopeless all have a cure with God/ Jesus throught his people/ the church/ true followers and believers.

Answer 10

You honestly thought you'd only get Christians ansering on an open forum?

What you are describing are the conoluted inconsistencies of the bible. To a logical person, it would brand such a book as a work of fiction. But Christians have an amazing ability to justify ANYTHING, and the story lives on and is spouted as "truth" to the rest of the world.

Careful! If you keep thinkking logically, you might begin to doubt, and all that leads to is true individuality and happiness.