| Author | Message | ||
| Spokenfor Registered user Username: Spokenfor Post Number: 115 Registered: 12-2003 |
Is anyone familiar with the concept of the "Bema Seat", regarding the Judgement seat of Christ for the saved? I have been invited to a drama presentation of this concept by a Christian friend who attends a Calvary Chapel. I've never heard of this Bema seat before but the write up on it sounds a bit works oriented: (The Bema is a drama that portrays Daniel Matthewson, a businessman who discovers that the way we conduct ourselves daily determines how we experience eternity. Gifted actor, writer, and vocalist Micah Sewell presents this unforgetable dramatic performance). ....any thoughts, pro or con out there? Appreciate your input! | ||
| Animal Registered user Username: Animal Post Number: 674 Registered: 7-2008  |
I hope we get an answer... The Bible says that all will stand before the Judgment seat of God.( Romans ?). And then we also have this text... and II Corinthians 5:10-11 "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences. " But doesnt Bible say that those who believe in Jesus is not judged (John 3:18). Of course ,Adventist have the "Investigative Judgment". This is a topic I know not much about..sigh Animal | ||
| Jonvil Registered user Username: Jonvil Post Number: 309 Registered: 4-2007 |
http://www.allaboutgod.com/Bema-Seat.htm "Bema Seat - What Is It and When Is It? The concept of the Bema Seat comes from the ancient Olympics, where a judge would sit on the Bema Seat at the finish line. The judge's purpose was to determine what position the runners came in-first, second, and so on-and then to give out the appropriate rewards. That is the imagery behind what is known as the Bema Seat. Also known as the Judgment Seat of Christ, the Bema Seat is described in 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, "If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames." Your gold, silver, and costly stones are works done for the glory of God, with the right motive, and in dependence upon the power of the Holy Spirit" It appears to be about varying degrees of awards for those who are saved. Not my cup of tea John | ||
| Grace_alone Registered user Username: Grace_alone Post Number: 1562 Registered: 6-2006  |
Pastor Mark Martin has some great audio sermons called "What happens when we die?" that explains the judgement. http://www.exadventist.com/Home/Audio/tabid/57/Default.aspx I was raised with the concept of knowing that I'm saved and I even learned some new things from these sermons.  Leigh Anne | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 10350 Registered: 12-2003  |
Spokenfor, some friends of ours who used to work for Campus Crusade gave us a video of the play you mentioned when it was performed at the Campus Crusade rally in Colorado Springs in 2003. It is absolutely wonderful. At least the performance we have is...I cry every time I see it. It is based on the text Jonvil mentions above. Of course, how rewards are "handled" is a guess... the Bible is not clear. Moreover, the play does not say how exactly what the rewards are. What the play does is focus on Jesus individually speaking to the saved and affirming them for the work they have done according to the 1 Cor 3 passage. Even though we don't know how "rewards" will work, it's not about salvation. Salvation, according to 1 Cor 3, is a done deal for the saved. The judgment for rewards is not about sin. It's about living by the Spirit and what we did by the direction of God's Spirit. What we do according to our own "flesh" is burned up, according to Paul; what we do to build on the foundation of Christ survives. Whether or not we understand the "how" of it, nevertheless the Bible says there will be a judgment for rewards. It's not about sin; salvation is a free gift, not a reward. We are saved when we place our faith in Jesus as He brings our spirits to life by His Spirit. But the Bible says there will be a judgment for rewards. Spokenfor, the play is very moving. It's more about Jesus and our life with Him than about anything else. Even if we don't know how to interpret 1 Cor 3, the play is worth seeing. I personally love it! Colleen | ||
| Spokenfor Registered user Username: Spokenfor Post Number: 116 Registered: 12-2003 |
Thank you all. I appreciate your input. Colleen, I will go to see it (on Wednesday), based on your recommendation and will let you know my experience afterward. The friend that invited me has also seen a video of it and absolutely loved it -- which is why she's been encouraging me to come. Spokenfor | ||
| Handmaiden Registered user Username: Handmaiden Post Number: 108 Registered: 7-2008 |
www.GotQuestions.org Question: "What is the Judgment Seat of Christ / Bema Seat of Christ?" Answer: Romans 14:10-12 says, “For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat…so then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.” Second Corinthians 5:10 tells us, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” In the context, it is clear that both scriptures are referring to Christians, not unbelievers. The judgment seat of Christ, therefore, involves believers giving an account of their lives to Christ. The judgment seat of Christ does not determine salvation; that was determined by Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf (1 John 2:2) and our faith in Him (John 3:16). All of our sins are forgiven, and we will never be condemned for them (Romans 8:1). We should not look at the judgment seat of Christ as God judging our sins, but rather as God rewarding us for our lives. Yes, as the Bible says, we will have to give an account of ourselves. Part of this is surely answering for the sins we committed. However, that is not going to be the primary focus of the judgment seat of Christ. At the judgment seat of Christ, believers are rewarded based on how faithfully they served Christ (1 Corinthians 9:4-27; 2 Timothy 2:5). Some of the things we might be judged on are how well we obeyed the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), how victorious we were over sin (Romans 6:1-4), and how well we controlled our tongues (James 3:1-9). The Bible speaks of believers receiving crowns for different things based on how faithfully they served Christ (1 Corinthians 9:4-27; 2 Timothy 2:5). The various crowns are described in 2 Timothy 2:5, 2 Timothy 4:8, James 1:12, 1 Peter 5:4, and Revelation 2:10. James 1:12 is a good summary of how we should think about the judgment seat of Christ: “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” © Copyright 2002-2009 Got Questions Ministries. | ||
| Jeremy Registered user Username: Jeremy Post Number: 2989 Registered: 10-2004  |
"For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God." (Romans 14:10b NASB.) "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ," (2 Corinthians 5:10a NASB.) This means that God=Christ! Just noticed this and thought it was interesting. Jeremy | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 10357 Registered: 12-2003 |
Good point! Thanks Jeremy! Colleen |
