Why is a fish a Christian symbol?

A little history lesson on how a fish became a Christian symbol, and the importance of understanding where we came from as Christians in our modern cultural context.

[@wesleycardinal8869]

Thanks for the message. I came upon universalism as a result of exiting Calvinism. Before I even heard about universal salvation, I knew Calvinism was wrong, that it was a false gospel. When I heard the doctrine of universal reconciliation I felt this is what I was looking for after fifty years of christian walk. Thank you again and keep up the good work.

[@broderickwallis25]

Oh man, you got it right. I'm now 71 and my search started at birth and while I never identified as Christian that's where my instincts led. Oh yeah, Universalism, the fulfilment of my "quest".... Hey Wesley, if faith is not the possession of all men then some cannot be saved. So even "Christianity" is at least Calvinist lite !!!!😂 All the best Wesley....

[@stephengorman1025]

Greetings from Wales, that is my story too. Became a Christian at 13 (64 now). I knew eternal conscious torment was wrong from the start but only the past 3 years have come across exposition of scripture that faithfully teaches Apokastasis. God is good and he is always good. God bless you as you continue to follow our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

[@a-sheepof-christ9027]

Determinism is the default argument FOR and not against Universalism. The bible says God gave ALL over to sin so that no one may boast. If you look at Romans 9:16-22 Paul is clearly coming off as determinist. He says it word for word: "You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?” But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” It is pretty clear the maker is in control: the pot is merely subject to his will. Determinism is the Paulinian stance.

[@stephengorman1025]

​@@a-sheepof-christ9027The Lord has elected that in Christ all will be restored (all meaning all and not some). That is his will and good purpose. However this will be achieved not by coercion but by all freely bowing the knee to Christ in this age or the next. Determinism as popularly understood makes human beings nothing more than 'chess pieces' in the Grand Masters hand. Worship in Spirit and Truth can never result from that. Barth called it the 'Gospel at gunpoint'. Phil 2v 4-11.

[@justin8865]

Brother you're a very refreshing voice, btw took up you're advice to seek fellowship, I just found a church that seems to be the one. Went to service for the first time since 2019. How could someone accuse you when your sound interpretation of the word, encourges me not only to seek God once again but also seek fellowship with other Christians. Your channel is becoming almsot a weekly mini sermon for me.

[@ironghost-ug2si]

At this point these videos are my sermons…

[@broderickwallis25]

Howdy Justin... We've all heard the saying "the proofs in the pudding". Well the clincher for me was, if all are saved them there's no superiority of the believer over the unbeliever. (ultimately).... Bye Bye self righteous arrogance !!!! and it's beautiful.😊😃 All the best Justin....

[@justin8865]

@broderickwallis25 ya for me it's I couldn't reconcile guys I served with or came before me going to an enternal hell because they were unbelievers, and or traumatized, or the devout Muslim terps who got left behind. (To of them made it to the US and both live in cali) They gave their life and sanity to serve why would God torture them? Am I more compassionate and merciful than God? But a hell as a cruicble for correction that makes way more sense and congruent with God's nature.

[@franciscafazzo3460]

I'd like to see prayers for fellowship.I need, I need so much refining.I'm so ashamed.I have ignored the goodness of God.And goodness of Jesus.Oh he would save me from my own personal righteousness and self centeredness

[@ronm6349]

Yes let God judge the heart

[@shanemccausland958]

Any chance we can get you on modern day debate? They literally have hundreds of debates and no universalist debates. They seem very open to new blood they even platform flat earthers.

[@thetotalvictoryofchrist9838]

I'm certainly open to that. My only goal at this channel is to demonstrate that this is a scripturally reasonable doctrine and Christians should be free to embrace it without being charged with heresy. Because it isn't.

[@NoName-oy2tk]

People try to explain Easter away in scripture. I am born on Easter. You can imagine the arguments I hear over the subject. From all stripes, whether Christian, Jewish, or pagan. I am glad that salvation is not based on my understanding. I don't care one way or another if somebody practices it or not, I do have an issue of expecting others to follow suit in whatever direction a person decides. It has nothing to do with salvation, but people make it an issue anyways. People always adding something to make it an 'essential' issue.

[@ExposeDarkness7]

In Roman’s 13 I found that it says to give honor where it’s due, and I know I have mentioned to you before your view on 13:4 and why I believed it’s okay for Christian’s to be in the military, I’ve just never seen it as a bad thing when it talks about honor, and in the New Testament it would be the only time it says God’s servant for your good in a negative light

[@Kristy_not_Kristine]

The constellations tell the Gospel story from start to finish.

[@broderickwallis25]

You always hit it in the sweet spot.... Thanks

[@trappedcat3615]

I don't know, but every time see it there is something fishy about it.

[@glennrobinson7193]

@trappedcat3615 LoL 🤣

[@benc6537]

It's quite catchy though.

[@glennrobinson7193]

@@benc6537 I knew this video was out to catch them all hook line and sinker

[@benc6537]

@@glennrobinson7193 well it is on the net.

[@storytime6263]

My mom likes frogs, she says it means fully rely on God 😁

[@broderickwallis25]

😊😁🤣

[@doriesse824]

In fact, with "frogs" in the plural, it means "Fully Rely On God's Son".

[@user-in1qo4cm2s]

Interesting

[@LarryLarpwell]

Hell believers, step into my office, cuz ur fired.

[@giodari712]

Your videos are addictive

[@yourenotthatguy196]

What do you think about people claiming to have had a revelation of an eternal hell like Bill Wiese who wrote the book "23 minutes in hell"? It makes me doubt universal reconciliation even though the Bible seems to plainly teach it...

[@GUTOG]

One irony is that penal-substitution believers say they aren't legalists even though their faith is entirely legalistic in nature-courtroom settings, legal punishment for sin, etc. I think destroying penal substitution as a theory is likely the first step in convincing others of universal reconciliation.

[@a-sheepof-christ9027]

The New testament is ALL about penal substitution: In orthodox and early church thought (who often endorsed Universalism) God WILL judge the unjust and punish them with fire for a time (revelation 14:11). Christ however is the very propitiation (appeasment:1 John 2:2) that saves oneself from having to pay the price according to JESUS OWN PARABLE. Infact Christ is the one using judicial language to this effect in Matthew 5:26. Purgatorial Universalism is the only biblical Universalism. The "get a free pass" type of Universalism that does not teach a time of limited punishment for the unbelieving is derived from a heresy and lie that denies Christ's divinity: Unitarian Universalism.

[@storytime6263]

Can you make a video on if we will live forever with God?

[@thetotalvictoryofchrist9838]

I'll put that on my list, thanks

[@BrotherPaulVickers]

Amen, brother.

[@ThreeFoldDivision]

Amen. Very well made and on point, essential to mention the pagan origin though (as you did). God bless.

[@Kuudere-Kun]

The consistency and severity of Christina Persecution were greatly exaggerated. The Neronian persecution I now firmly believe didn't happen at all. The first Empire Wide persecution was Decius but it was only the last one that ever matched the scale of what Christian went on to imagine the entire Pre-Milvian Bridge era to have been like. The plight of Christian under Rome was much more comparable to Muslims in modern America then to Jews under Hitler.

[@benc6537]

The Jews actually did quite well under Hitler, contrary to popular mythology.

[@4321grp]

(Jer.10:2)Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. The LORD wants us to steer clear of anything with a pagan origin. that includes symbols or even holidays that got their start in paganism.

[@broderickwallis25]

I'm not sure about that. Cults use that sort of fear to control and seperate.... At Christmas are we sacrificing children or other pagan practices. Of course not. If we stop celebrating Christmas it might mean in many cases not fellowshipping with family and old friends which maybe the only opp. for the year (some might say great😂) As a cult conquerer I will never get caught in such faith dissolving legalism.... And yes discernment is also necessary.... All the best GRP

[@stephengorman1025]

1Cor3v21-23 All things are ours and when they are brought into submission to Christ they are restored. We do not have to live in fear, because fear is linked to punishment and perfect love casts out fear. God will be all and in all. Grace and Peace.

[@stevenfrasier5718]

Once we find out something is of pagan origin we should SCRAP it -- BUT, thank you kindly for the otherwise Universal message. You might think I'm a pest by now, eh?

[@thetotalvictoryofchrist9838]

Nah, not a pest. I think we can claim it as our own now, the Greek word fish is the acronym "Jesus Christ God's Son Savior". Very Christian indeed.

[@stevenfrasier5718]

@@thetotalvictoryofchrist9838 I'm generally in moral support of your channel, but brother, you're serving an otherwise perfect bowl of soup with a FLY in it. Yes, VERY Christian, indeed. That's WHY I left "Christianity". I know for a FACT, that someday you will see that I'm in the RIGHT to be vigilant about PAGAN influence, even to the point of REJECTING the symbol of the Cross, which is a TORTURE devise. Having said all that, I'm a believer in Christ & Universalism, but NOT a Christian, because it's a * Religion -- it's the COUNTRFEIT to the original Followers of The Way. * etymology: "Shackled Ligaments".

[@stevenfrasier5718]

-- ps -- I love you