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william macdonald Here's the Difference - A Study of Important Biblical Distinctions including the Dispensations, Two Comings of Christ, the Church and Israel, Judicial and Parental Forgiveness, Double Fulfillments of Prophecy, Relationship and Fellowship.
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  • Rosa and Jesus
    Rosa and JesusRosa and her son Jesus - I tried different religions, but none of them offered me true peace or the assurance of eternal life. I got tired of searching, thinking that maybe that was all there was, and that I’d have to suffer in this life and after death. (more )
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FAQs

  • Are Christians supposed to be ambassadors for God?
    To whom does "we" refer in verse 20: "We are ambassadors . . ."?

    Paul uses the first person singular pronoun (I, me, my, mine: see v 11, for example) because he is the writer, but he includes at least Timothy (1:1) and Silvanus (1:19) with himself.

    Before this verse (5:20), Paul uses the first person plural pronoun (we, us, our) about 120 times. About one fourth of those uses could include the Corinthians, but the context indicates that all but one refer to Paul and his associates. That one time, Paul includes the Corinthians by using the word "all": "We all with open face . . ." (3:18).

    In a unique sense, the Lord had directly entrusted to Paul ("He hath given unto us") - and Paul graciously includes his associates - a "ministry of reconciliation" (5:18). That makes it likely, then, that in verse 20 Paul means that he - and those with him - were ambassadors for (on behalf of) Christ.

    Some will point to the next verse and ask if being "made the righteousness of God in Him" is exclusive to Paul. In the context, Paul is referring to "us," meaning himself and his associates. He is emphasizing the blessings that constrained them in their labors. All will have to agree, though, that we have received the same blessings that Paul received through the work of Christ. Further, we have a responsibility to declare "the word of reconciliation" to sinners. More than that, in our declaration, we should be no less conscious than Paul was that we are speaking on behalf of God or Christ (1Pe 4:11)." TARGET="_blank">1Pe 4:11).

    We have a work to do and we do not need "ambassador status" to do it. For us, failing to do this work would be what Paul calls (6:1) receiving "the grace of God in vain."

    D. Oliver
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