|
Users viewing this topic:
none
|
|
Login  | |
|
how does the bible explain " ghost" - 11/15/2008 1:34:28 AM
|
|
|
Zack_NorcalRiders
Posts: 149
Joined: 10/24/2008
Status: offline
|
OK so i have never witnessed a "ghost" or "apparition" but i have watched the show ghost hunters and its very rare but sometimes they do catch something on film/evps . i know of people who have had encounters with such things . How does the bible explain this? is it possible some people are stuck between this world and heaven or is it all just superstition?
_____________________________
Lord forgive me for i have sinned , i hit a 4th gear jump 5th gear pinned
|
|
|
|
|
RE: how does the bible explain " ghost" - 11/15/2008 5:59:53 AM
|
|
|
risingangel
Posts: 39
Joined: 8/2/2008
Status: offline
|
I can not quote an exact verse, but from what I've heard, apparently "ghosts" are actually demons. The idea of a ghost definitely detracts from Christianity, since someone is either in Heaven or in Hell when they die.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: how does the bible explain " ghost" - 11/15/2008 7:42:38 AM
|
|
|
RJR_fan
Posts: 823
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: RTP, in sunny NC USA
Status: online
|
Towards the end of I Samuel, the Witch of Endor summons up the ghost of Samuel, and gets more than she expected. This is, as far as I know, the only true "ghost story" in the Bible.
The pagan vision of the afterlife is, quite literally, an after-life. The shades are half-alive, half-aware. They resent, hold will ill towards, those who are still on "the clean side of the dirt." Hence, are to be feared. This is quite a contrast to the Christian expectation that "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." We open our eyes on incandescent bliss, after "falling asleep" to this world.
_____________________________
Blogging my way through the Turkish New Testament
Meet my beloved mentor, RJR
|
|
|
|
|
RE: how does the bible explain " ghost" - 11/15/2008 11:00:07 AM
|
|
|
BenQuebec
Posts: 1464
Joined: 2/28/2005
From: Québec, Canada
Status: offline
|
Some versions of the Bible often use the words "ghost" and "spirit" interchangeably. For example, the Holy Spirit is often referred to as the Holy Ghost.
As such, one can think of a ghost as a spirit. The Bible is very clear about the existence of spirits, and of angels and demons, which are usually unseen and thus considered to be spirits. However, a spirit is not necessarily angelic or demonic, as the Bible teaches that human beings have spirits as well. The biblical example cited by RJR_fan above is a spiritual manifestation which was neither angelic nor demonic.
If a ghost-like apparition or anything inspires fear, it's not from God, beit demonic or otherwise, and one should immediately pray for God's protection, courage and direction.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: how does the bible explain " ghost" - 11/15/2008 3:00:32 PM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1801
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
One cannot believe in God and Jesus and not believe in the Holy Spirit.
Similarly, one cannot believe in God and not believe in angels, demons, or the fact that we have a spirit which lives on after our death.
Such visions or apparitions do happen from time to time in these days.
_____________________________
Visit http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
My Book My Blog
|
|
|
|
|
RE: how does the bible explain " ghost" - 11/15/2008 3:19:04 PM
|
|
|
deermousie
Posts: 1946
Joined: 9/26/2007
Status: offline
|
We see the phrase "Holy Ghost" in the King James Version of the Bible, which is 400 year old English. It probably was a good translation for that culture in the UK, but modern translations say Spirit, not Ghost.
There are no ghosts*, and the witch of Endor's buddy was probably a demon masquerading as Samuel. People who die go to heaven or hell and don't come back. But they may be able to see us; dunno. Read Hebrews 11 - God's "Hall of Fame" and then see Heb. 12:1 - the crowd of witnesses may those heros in heaven watching.
*We know there are created beings: animals, birds, fish, people, angels. When Satan chose evil and got booted out of heaven, a third of the angels went with him and probably became the demons. A ghost isn't an animal, bird, fish, or person so it's probably a demon. Satan is a liar, so one of his minions impersonating someone isn't much of a stretch.
Zack, have you discovered the joy of concordances? They are reference books that tell you everywhere in the Bible a certain word is used. Handy for looking up verses if you know a word or two from it. The link in my sig line is an online concordance and I use it every day. Check it out - and look your name up (If you're Zachariah. If it's Zackery, then it's not there. I don't think).
_____________________________
Want to know where a certain word or phrase in the Bible is found? www.biblegateway.com Yay!
|
|
|
|
|
RE: how does the bible explain " ghost" - 11/15/2008 3:42:55 PM
|
|
|
-J-
Posts: 63
Joined: 10/6/2006
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: Zack_NorcalRiders
OK so i have never witnessed a "ghost" or "apparition" but i have watched the show ghost hunters and its very rare but sometimes they do catch something on film/evps . i know of people who have had encounters with such things . How does the bible explain this? is it possible some people are stuck between this world and heaven or is it all just superstition?
LOL.... I first read that as "Witnessed to a Ghost"
|
|
|
|
|
RE: how does the bible explain " ghost" - 11/15/2008 3:47:07 PM
|
|
|
BenQuebec
Posts: 1464
Joined: 2/28/2005
From: Québec, Canada
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: deermousie
There are no ghosts*, and the witch of Endor's buddy was probably a demon masquerading as Samuel.
However the Bible says it was Samuel. (1 Sam 28)
|
|
|
|
|
RE: how does the bible explain " ghost" - 11/15/2008 3:47:57 PM
|
|
|
1love1God1way
Posts: 2478
Joined: 5/16/2005
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: BenQuebec
If a ghost-like apparition or anything inspires fear, it's not from God, beit demonic or otherwise, and one should immediately pray for God's protection, courage and direction.
Not to like, jump on you or anything, but whenever an angel appeared in Scripture, what is it that they said first, usually?
"Do not be afraid."
_____________________________
love.ben
|
|
|
|
|
RE: how does the bible explain " ghost" - 11/15/2008 4:19:51 PM
|
|
|
BenQuebec
Posts: 1464
Joined: 2/28/2005
From: Québec, Canada
Status: offline
|
I'd thought of that, too. But if you call on God's protection, courage and guidance, He'll find a way to reassure you.
In this case, it was a simple "Fear not." :-)
|
|
|
|
|
RE: how does the bible explain " ghost" - 11/15/2008 7:28:46 PM
|
|
|
BillBaileyBFAFan
Posts: 341
Joined: 6/5/2008
Status: offline
|
There is something to be considered when thinking about ghosts and other things like that.
God says He is not the author of confusion. So things that cause confusion such as ghosts are not of God. If something is not of God, then it IS of Satan.
Also, what is the purpose of these "ghost hunter" type shows? To cause doubt, to make people question the "supernatural". There is nothing Godly about these shows. Most of them are probably hoaxes, but the ones that aren't are of Satan and his demons.
I attribute UFO's to demonic activity as well. These things are all things that sew doubt in people's minds about what is true and what is false.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: how does the bible explain " ghost" - 11/16/2008 1:28:10 AM
|
|
|
1love1God1way
Posts: 2478
Joined: 5/16/2005
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: BillBaileyBFAFan
There is something to be considered when thinking about ghosts and other things like that.
God says He is not the author of confusion. So things that cause confusion such as ghosts are not of God. If something is not of God, then it IS of Satan.
Also, what is the purpose of these "ghost hunter" type shows? To cause doubt, to make people question the "supernatural". There is nothing Godly about these shows. Most of them are probably hoaxes, but the ones that aren't are of Satan and his demons.
I attribute UFO's to demonic activity as well. These things are all things that sew doubt in people's minds about what is true and what is false.
Women are confusing . . . so . . .
*ducks*
_____________________________
love.ben
|
|
|
|
|
RE: how does the bible explain " ghost" - 11/16/2008 2:10:58 AM
|
|
|
risingangel
Posts: 39
Joined: 8/2/2008
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: 1love1God1way
quote:
ORIGINAL: BillBaileyBFAFan
There is something to be considered when thinking about ghosts and other things like that.
God says He is not the author of confusion. So things that cause confusion such as ghosts are not of God. If something is not of God, then it IS of Satan.
Also, what is the purpose of these "ghost hunter" type shows? To cause doubt, to make people question the "supernatural". There is nothing Godly about these shows. Most of them are probably hoaxes, but the ones that aren't are of Satan and his demons.
I attribute UFO's to demonic activity as well. These things are all things that sew doubt in people's minds about what is true and what is false.
Women are confusing . . . so . . .
*ducks*
lol
|
|
|
|
|
RE: how does the bible explain " ghost" - 11/16/2008 8:45:56 PM
|
|
|
BenQuebec
Posts: 1464
Joined: 2/28/2005
From: Québec, Canada
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: Flintejae
There are no ghosts. There are either angels or demons. When you die you either go to heaven or hell. There is no middle ground for the dead.
Although this makes perfect sense, it still doesn't explain why I Samuel 28 says that the ghost of Samuel appeared to Saul and prophesied his death.
That was not an angel nor a demon.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: how does the bible explain " ghost" - 11/16/2008 9:53:24 PM
|
|
|
Wild-Rose
Posts: 426
Joined: 1/11/2006
From: Upstate NY
Status: offline
|
Maybe God allowed him to come back for a purpose temporarily, just like the Transfiguration.
To me that is not the same as the ghosts we hear about who wander around aimlessly not being able to escape this world. To me that implies that God "forgot" about them or didn't know what to do with them. I agree that they are angels or demons, most probably demons. People go to heaven or hell.
_____________________________
Wild-Rose
Rejoice that your name is written in heaven. Luke 10:20
|
|
|
|
|
RE: how does the bible explain " ghost" - 11/17/2008 5:00:31 AM
|
|
|
Preludeian
Posts: 131
Joined: 5/19/2008
From: Portland Metro Oregon
Status: offline
|
The other day when I was listening to the local Radio Station (Portland OR) one of the preachers brought up the Samuel incident. He made the comment that even though it was brought about by a 'witch' it was only 'allowed' by the Father for the purpose of fortelling Saul what would happen to him. You don't think if the Father could have the Spirit of Moses at the Transfiguration he couldn't bring up the Spirit of Samuel to prophesy against the house of Saul?
|
|
|
|
|
RE: how does the bible explain " ghost" - 11/17/2008 5:22:19 AM
|
|
|
manda59
Posts: 6187
Joined: 9/22/2005
From: Hampshire, UK
Status: offline
|
I can only find one version so far that actually says "ghost". On my E-Sword I've checked it in the ASV, CEV, ESV, GNB and KJV, and only the CEV says "ghost", the others just mention him being "called up".
In my opinion, it was a demonic spirit imitating Samuel. I cannot see that there could be any other explanation. God forbids necromancy/clairvoyancy, it is an abomination to Him, and there is no way under the sun that He would allow anyone practising the occult to have the power to call souls in and out of heaven, which is what would have had to have happened if it had been Samuel.
Also, the witch said that this spirit came up from the earth - if it had really been Samuel, he would have surely descended from heaven, not come up from the earth.
It's interesting that Saul doesn't see this spirit, only the witch does. And presumably this spirit speaks through her (which is how mediums work), so all Saul sees and hears is her.
If the spirit had truly been Samuel, I think he would have had some totally different things to say to Saul - like, for example, to put the witch to death!!
_____________________________
"Manda is right"
mvic, January 2009
|
|
|
|
|
RE: how does the bible explain " ghost" - 11/18/2008 10:55:35 AM
|
|
|
RJR_fan
Posts: 823
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: RTP, in sunny NC USA
Status: online
|
quote:
i know of people who have had encounters with such things . How does the bible explain this?
The most devastating family of apparitions involve the most famous woman in history, the mother of Jesus. I don't know how many millions of souls have been led into eternal damnation by this demonic, but lovely, apparition, which offers an alternate means of salvation, and alternate source of revelation, and an alternate deity (target for our prayers).
In this case (Marian apparitions), the Biblically literate saint sees the literal example of how Satan can appear "as an angel of light."
And yes, these apparitions appear with convincing signs, like mass hallucinations that fall upon tens of thousands of people simultaneously.
"But in general, take my advice, when you meet anything that's going to be human and isn't yet, or used to be human once and isn't now, or ought to be human and isn't, you keep your eyes on it and feel for your hatchet."
_____________________________
Blogging my way through the Turkish New Testament
Meet my beloved mentor, RJR
|
|
|
|
|
RE: how does the bible explain " ghost" - 11/18/2008 2:09:57 PM
|
|
|
manda59
Posts: 6187
Joined: 9/22/2005
From: Hampshire, UK
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: Lady_Daffodil
I believe that if it inspires fear it's a demon and you should call on the name of Jesus.
The "ghost" of Samuel inspired fear and hopelessness in Saul, hence my belief that it was a demon imitating Samuel, and not anything sent by God.
_____________________________
"Manda is right"
mvic, January 2009
|
|
|
|
 New Messages |
 No New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/ New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/o New Messages |
 Locked w/ New Messages |
 Locked w/o New Messages |
|
 Post New Thread
Reply to Message
Post New Poll
Submit Vote
Delete My Own Post
Delete My Own Thread
Rate Posts |
|
|
Forum Tools
Printable Version
Moo! 
