a. Faith comes by hearing or reading the Word of God.
Romans 10:17 "So then FAITH cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
b. Faith is a fruit of the Holly Spirit. (ie by praying in Spirit)
Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, FAITH , Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
c. Faith is a GIFT from God. So ask God for faith.
1 Corinthians 12:8-10 "For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
To another FAITH by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:"
d. FAITH is also increased through the actions of God in one's life. When did Paul believe in Jesus? When he saw Him on his way to Damascus. When did Sergius Paulus in Cyprus believe in Paul's preaching? When he saw that sorcerer Elymas getting blind. Acts 13.
Hello! I'd like to point out that when one of the Apostles asked Jesus Christ to teach him how to pray, he instructed them all, and us by association, to pray to God Luke 11:1-13. To wit, we are to pray to God, our Father, not to Mary.
We have all sinned and come short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23. Therefore, we have all broken God's ten commandments. When we break one, we are guilty of breaking them all, James 2:10-20.
Jesus is the only way to Heaven. He told Nicodemus that a man must be born again to enter Heaven, John 3:3. No man comes to the Father but by Jesus, John 14:6.
To be born again:
Romans 10:9-13 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Lord willing; this commentary will be helpful for those who really haven't seen the repeated themes of the unity of the Godhead; and the predetermined "elect" group who are chosen for Christ to be revealed; and who therefore will respond to show saving faith. A major point that I tried to bring up in earlier chapters was that there is always a corresponding interaction going both ways; so that confession of faith and all of man's actions prompted by the Spirit are simultaneous actions. KNOWING us according to Matthew 7:23 is part of saving faith; hence the absence indicates we are tares. Our soul testifies with His Spirit ( Romans 8:16) that we are God's children.
None of the contradicts the necessity of confessing with our mouths and believing in our hearts that Christ is Lord ( Romans 10:9). We are asked to repent; but it is He who grants the gift of repentance ( Romans 2:4) and this also has a group of people in mind (the Jews as a whole who come to faith) in Acts 5:31 and the Gentiles in Acts 11:18. We still our to test ourselves to see if we are in the faith ( 2 Cor. 13:5-6). All good fruits therefore come from the source of God; and are evidences of saving faith ( Matt. 7:17). We need to remember that God chastises all He loves ( Hebrews 12:6 etal); and therefore He prunes back so even more fruit is produced ( John 15:1-2). He is doing the work therefore; our WORKS are merely the external evidence that indeed He is working from the inside out. These have been prepared for us from before the foundation of the world ( Eph. 2:10).
The other doctrines such as God's sovereignty; our totally depraved nature; and perseverance of the saints are covered in many scriptures and can be covered in other studies. As far as free will is concerned; God accomplishes His purposes through the vicissitudes of man; and the wiles of Satan and all his minions. To not submit to our Creator is folly ( Psalm 14:1; Psalm 2:2; Rev. 19)
This section goes from they did not believe (as seen in John 6:64; 8:46 and others) to verse 39 of this chapter which states that they COULD not believe as prophesied in Isaiah 53:1.
Verse 42 serves as a harsh reminder that we can have belief in Christ but we also must CONFESS with our mouths ( Romans 10:9-10) in order to have saving faith. We are reminded here of Luke 16:15 which states that which is honorable among men is an abomination to God.
Here; it was praise of men that was the cause; and being thrown out of the synagogue; not even direct physical persecution.
Verse 48 reminds us of the conviction of the Spirit as mentioned in John 16:8; a few chapters later. Clearly; the whole Godhead works as a unit in tandem in ways mysterious to man.
Verse 40 goes on further to state from Isaiah about God Himself blinding men. Some other verses on that include 2 Thessalonians 2:11 where God Himself sends strong delusion so that they will believe the lie because of the previous verse where they did not LOVE the truth. Also we have Isaiah 66:4 where it says that God will choose their delusions.
All sin stems from self justification; and self love that cannot accept the true state of our souls as fallen man because of Adam and his progeny that makes up natural man. Naked we come into this world and naked we shall go ( Job 1:21); also see Ecclesiastes 5:15. We cannot love anything above God; Jesus uses the word HATE for anything else ( Luke 14:25-26). We see the general sentiment in verse 25 of this chapter. Clearly; Christ Himself showed love in the previous chapter for Lazarus; Mary and Martha as well as John when He said "Behold your mother" to John at the cross so that he could take care of her. ( John 19:26-27).
There were times when they sought Him out when He stated the more important principle that those who followed Him were brothers; sisters; etc. ( Luke 8:21).
The blueprint for being a child of God or not is in John 12.
As I was saying, people sometimes use Romans 10:18 to defend those who they say never heard of Jesus or the gospel message of salvation. But they often miss the fact that Paul says in the very same verse, "but I say have they not heard? Yes they have. Their sound went out into all the earth and their words unto the ends of the world." They have already heard! In fact, Paul in Colossians Chapter 1, he talked about that the inhabitable world in his day had already heard the word. They had already heard the gospel. God reaches everybody about the truth and about the one true God.
Every human being that stands before God, and if they say, "Hey, I am illiterate. I didn't even know there was a Bible. I didn't hear the gospel." But God is going to say to them "What happened when my Spirit came to you and illuminated you and shined my light, my life into your spirit? Were you drawn to me or did you try to get away from me?
Not intellectually how did you process it, but spiritually, how was your response to the truth when God's Spirit brought the testimony of the truth to your life? It could have been at a time when mentally you were not even aware of it. But at some point or another, every human being will either be drawn to the light, or will turn away from the light, but every person will be illuminated in some way. It doesn't have to be with words. It does not have to be with language. It doesn't have to be with preaching.
Again, we do differ on this. I will share a few more of my thoughts, not to be argumentative, but to share what I believe. I believe that every single person will one day stand before God and will have to give an account. No person will have an excuse. To me, it does not matter that a person believes in "a god." What matters is that the person believes and surrenders their life to the one true God, Jesus Christ.
There is a tremendous principle being taught in John 1:9. Every single person that is born into this world is at some point enlightened to the truth. There will be no excuse. No one will be able to stand before God and say I didn't know the gospel message about salvation, but I was a good person and always made the right choices because my conscience told me to do so.
Jesus tells us in John Chapter 14 that no one can come to the Father except through Him. In other words, there is no salvation outside of Jesus Christ. So this would eliminate all those who believe in a god, regardless of who their god is, or how good of a person they were.
Psalm 19:1-4 says that creation, the language of creation goes throughout the world. There is no language that does not understand the language of creation. And creation speaks of the Creator. Also, Romans 1:19-20, Paul says that what is known of God is clearly manifest as God reveals the truth of the invisible God to every person.
As far as the Muslims, Buddhists, and all other religions who are worshipping a different god because they "never heard of Jesus," I would also say that they are all without excuse. Now I know some people like to use Romans 10:18 to support what they believe are people, such as primitive tribes, who have never heard the gospel message. They say how is that fair? And they use Romans 10:18, which says how will they believe if they don't hear a preacher? And how are they going to hear a preacher if no preacher is sent?
There's a different relationship "in Christ," that the law couldn't bring,
Romans 9:31-32
But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
Wherefore? BECAUSE THEY SOUGHT IT NOT BY FAITH, BUT AS IT WERE BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;....
Romans 10:5-9.
For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)
Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
I Agree with Brother Chris "God knowing beforehand the choices that we make & the way our lives will unfold" and the Gospel goes out to all, the invitation is for all, but not all will respond!!
1 John 2:2. And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
Matthew 7:13-14. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, AND FEW THERE BE THAT FIND IT.
Galatians 3:22. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given TO THEM THAT BELIEVE.
Ephesians 1:12-13. That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also AFTER THAT YE BELIEVED, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
So let's make it clear
Romans 10:8-15 is what's relevant.
But look at verse 16. "But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
Here's my thought on this that I'm sure can be improved on.
Romans 9:11. (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, THAT THE PURPOSE OF GOD ACCORDING TO ELECTION might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) Here we have God's way that He Elected..
Next we have "WHEN" God's way was Elected.
Ephesians 1:4. According as he hath chosen us ( IN ) him BEFORE THE FOUNDATION of THE WORLD...
You may find it easier to understand if we look at it as the church or the body of Christ instead of Individuals.
Dear Bri, you are part of the world, are you not? Here is how God feels about the world and everyone in it, John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
How can you have everlasting life? John 3:3 ...Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
How can you be born again?
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.- Romans 10:9-13
The time of salvation is NOW. Please accept Jesus Christ as your Savior before it's too late. I'm going to put you on my prayer list. But your salvation--whether you act on Jesus Christ as your Savior doesn't hinge on my prayers. Your salvation from sin hinges on your decision to accept Him as your Lord and Savior. God bless you.
I think your doctrine of not believing in Jesus's divinity requires a few hoops to jump through:
1. Not take John 1:1 literally that says Jesus (Word) is God
2. Ignore that God is plural 'we' and 'us' in Genesis
3. Assume that Jesus's behavior as a temporary man with limited power automatically means that that is how He normally is
4. Misinterpret the word "begotten"
5. Ignore the words Godhead and claim its a bad translation
6. Ignore that Jesus's name Immanuel means 'God with us'
7. Ignore 1 John 5:7-8 that the Father, Son, Holy Spirit are one, and try to dilute the word 'one' to make it seem insignificant.
8. Ignore John 1:3 that Jesus has always been and made everything and claim that Jesus was created later
9. Ignore that Jesus is the same I AM in the NT as the I AM in the OT
10. Ignore that Jesus is the same First/Last, Beginning/End in the NT as the same from God in the OT.
There's much more, but I'll stop at 10. I'm also not 100% sure you even read my last 2 replies so I don't want to spent energy on something you may not even read. There's an enormous about of verses supporting that Jesus is God and nothing clearly saying the opposite. For example if you found a verse that says 'Jesus is NOT God', then you would then only begin to your cause to counter the Bible already saying Jesus IS God in John 1:1, but we don't even have that.
With all the scriptural evidence here, is it possible you have any vested interest to prove that Jesus isn't God for another reason? If you read enough verses supporting that Jesus IS God, is that something you might reconsider someday or do you feel content with your current belief?
Do you believe Jesus is truly Lord like it says in Romans 10:9?
I appreciate your respectul remarks and am ok with continuing to dialog as long as that remains.
I can offer a challenge to few of your points in your last comment.
1. John 1:1 says, "In the beginning", God does not have a beginning.
It sounds like you are using this as evidence to support your view. I don't view it that way at all. First, this says "in the beginning" not "in God's beginning" or "in the Word's beginning". So, this phrase doesn't suggest any limitation on God whatsoever, but is just marking for us in our own human terms that Jesus was always there.
Do you remember Jesus saying this: "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last." That doesn't mean He's limited, but the opposite, it means He spans everything! Revelation 22:13 - notice the words in red that Jesus said that.
It also says this in Revelation 1:8, notice it says "says the Lord". Lord is Greek word kurios which is supreme authority or God. Some translations say "says the Lord God" and is the same meaning. This is Jesus speaking about Himself, it too is in red.
Isaiah 44:6 "Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God." - notice this is the same claim Jesus made in Revelation. If there's only one and only one who makes that claim then it seems logical that the claim in both the New and Old Testament are from the same being.
Revelation 11:17 - This uses the same word Lord (kurios) of which Jesus is Lord ( Romans 10:9) and uses the word theos (God) with it, so it calls Jesus "Lord God." Do you agree? How do you feel about this verse?
Isaiah 43:11 - "I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour." So, it says Jesus is Lord and our savior in the New Testament and there's no other Lord. Here in the OT it also says the Lord is the savior and no one else. That is all in alignment with John 10:30. Yes?
Stay with prayers and supplication and reading the Bible. A person who truly seek the truth will be guided by the Holy Spirit. Romans 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Acts 20:28-32
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
Revelation 18:4
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. Agape.
Salvation is only received through believing and trusting in the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is the Gospel of Jesus Christ that saves. The law will only drive the lost soul unto the Gospel and Salvation. Galatians 3: 11, 12, 21-26. Romans 10: 9, 10
Praise the Lord for His redemption through His blood on the cross that gives Salvation unto all those who believe and trust in Him.
May we all pray diligently for our leaders to believe and have the mind of Christ. 2 Timothy 2:1-4
God bless all on this forum with the wisdom of the Lord. May His comforting hand be on all.
I hope this is what you were looking for. I know people say things like, "I'll love you to the ends of the earth."
I'm not sure it's the same as scriptures. This is just a little slice of a larger pool of scripture. You might enjoy learning how to use the SEARCH ENGINE out on the red page where you come into this website.
Even just remembering a part of a scripture, it will do its best to find everything with that hint.
Acts 13:47
For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ENDS OF THE EARTH.
Romans 10:18
But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
1 Corinthians 10:11
Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
2 Peter 3:7
But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto FIRE against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
Revelation 1:7
Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
Revelation 5:3
And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
Mark 16:15
And he said unto them, Go ye into ALL of the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by "THE FAITH "OF" CHRIST", even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Who's faith? CHRIST FAITH! We were lacking faith it had to be given to us! Ephesians 2:8-9.
Some have objected to this interpretation, saying that faith (pistis) is feminine, while that (touto) is neuter. That poses no problem, however, as long as it is understood that that does not refer precisely to the noun faith but to the act of believing. Further, this interpretation makes the best sense of the text, since if that refers to by grace you have been saved through faith (that is, to the whole statement), the adding of and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God would be redundant, because grace is defined as an unearned act of God. If salvation is of grace, it has to be an undeserved gift of God. Faith is presented as a gift from God in 2 Peter 1:1, Philippians 1:29, and Acts 3:16.
Boy is that humbling! We can't produce faith, there is nothing to boast on that either!
That is why some say you can lose your salvation, and no one is saved until the Judgement.
THEY'RE NOT SURE. "VOID OF CHRIST FAITH"
Just believing is his name don't cut it either.
John 2;23-24. "Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many "BELIEVED IN HIS NAME", when they saw the miracles which he did. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,
You have to believe in his work, through the Holyspirit. (FAITH OF CHRIST)
Romans 10:9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and SHALT BELIEVE IN THY HEART THAT GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, thou shalt be saved.
Then to 1 Peter 3:21. Again, we see Peter use the phrase 'good conscience', as he did in verse 16. As a 'good conscience' is important to the believer in his confident stand against the forces of evil against him, so also is a 'good conscience' that water baptism provides in his spiritual stand before God & the world. God already knows who belongs to Him (those expressing repentance & faith) - water baptism is immaterial. Water baptism is solely for the benefit of the new convert, for 'conscience-sake'. And obedience? That is the responsibility of the one leading the sinner to Christ ( Romans 10:13-15), to obey the command to follow through with baptizing the convert - not for the baptizee to initiate or obey.
So, I trust that you can see that my understanding on water baptism is simply an event post-saving faith & not contributing to it - an act of identification & clear conscience only. If not, then not only an outward action is needed to secure salvation, there are also many false Christians out there who are yet to be baptized, or physically unable to go into the waters, on their death bed, or neglected by the Church. And we can't make excuses for these poor souls, since 'baptism is (as you believe) necessary for salvation'.
Paul and Silas's jailer asked them in ACTS 16:30 ..."Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Their answer was as simple as this in ACTS 16:31 ..."Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved..." Simple as that.
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.- Romans 10:9-13
Neither Cain, Abel, or Seth was perfect, this is why there was a need for a blood sacrifice. When we look at the book of Hebrews we find out that they were instructed to bring a sacrifice in that manner. Hebrews-11-4. "Faith comes by hearing" Romans 10:17.
So Abel's sacrifice was offered by faith because he had faith in what was preached to him and he showed that by his offering.
Romans 10:17 "So then FAITH cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
b. Faith is a fruit of the Holly Spirit. (ie by praying in Spirit)
Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, FAITH , Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
c. Faith is a GIFT from God. So ask God for faith.
1 Corinthians 12:8-10 "For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
To another FAITH by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:"
d. FAITH is also increased through the actions of God in one's life. When did Paul believe in Jesus? When he saw Him on his way to Damascus. When did Sergius Paulus in Cyprus believe in Paul's preaching? When he saw that sorcerer Elymas getting blind. Acts 13.
Sin because of Satan's tricking Adam and Eve. God being all love His great
Desire is for all to come to Him through Jesus Christ Romans 10:9+10 but
Until a person decides to do that and have a change of Heart they are separated
From God. Answering your question God sees everything and His love and
Forgiveness and long-suffering and He keeps His Word is why he hasn't ended
Things yet because he knows there are others that will believe. On that note
It will end this world when the last person God knows believes, and only He knows
This. But as the song says until then our hearts can go on singing waiting for
The gathering together unto Him in thessalonians. The gathering of the Body
Of Christ the Church of God.
Depending on your understanding of scripture, a lot do and a lot don't and
It ruffles a lot of feathers. Bottom line get born again Romans 10:9+10
And walk in love and Let Go and Let God work.
We have all sinned and come short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23. Therefore, we have all broken God's ten commandments. When we break one, we are guilty of breaking them all, James 2:10-20.
Jesus is the only way to Heaven. He told Nicodemus that a man must be born again to enter Heaven, John 3:3. No man comes to the Father but by Jesus, John 14:6.
To be born again:
Romans 10:9-13 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Lord willing; this commentary will be helpful for those who really haven't seen the repeated themes of the unity of the Godhead; and the predetermined "elect" group who are chosen for Christ to be revealed; and who therefore will respond to show saving faith. A major point that I tried to bring up in earlier chapters was that there is always a corresponding interaction going both ways; so that confession of faith and all of man's actions prompted by the Spirit are simultaneous actions. KNOWING us according to Matthew 7:23 is part of saving faith; hence the absence indicates we are tares. Our soul testifies with His Spirit ( Romans 8:16) that we are God's children.
None of the contradicts the necessity of confessing with our mouths and believing in our hearts that Christ is Lord ( Romans 10:9). We are asked to repent; but it is He who grants the gift of repentance ( Romans 2:4) and this also has a group of people in mind (the Jews as a whole who come to faith) in Acts 5:31 and the Gentiles in Acts 11:18. We still our to test ourselves to see if we are in the faith ( 2 Cor. 13:5-6). All good fruits therefore come from the source of God; and are evidences of saving faith ( Matt. 7:17). We need to remember that God chastises all He loves ( Hebrews 12:6 etal); and therefore He prunes back so even more fruit is produced ( John 15:1-2). He is doing the work therefore; our WORKS are merely the external evidence that indeed He is working from the inside out. These have been prepared for us from before the foundation of the world ( Eph. 2:10).
The other doctrines such as God's sovereignty; our totally depraved nature; and perseverance of the saints are covered in many scriptures and can be covered in other studies. As far as free will is concerned; God accomplishes His purposes through the vicissitudes of man; and the wiles of Satan and all his minions. To not submit to our Creator is folly ( Psalm 14:1; Psalm 2:2; Rev. 19)
Certain beliefs God won't or can't work. The basics are Romans 10:9+10
And to accept all that God accomplished through Jesus Christ for man and
All that is required is believing with your whole heart. There were times when
Jesus Christ healed and the person being healed didn't know who he was they
Just believed , same grace today. Walk in love teach with love and grace.
also as jesus christ said to fulfill all righteousness. The law ended in practice with john the baptist that's why in
John 1:17 grace and truth came with Jesus christ. Also notice in Acts 1:5-8 john indeed baptized with water but incontrast
ye shall absolute tense be baptized with Holy spirit the lesser the law replaced by Grace via the spirit. The first one works
the second without merit cannot be earned through works must be believed by romans 10:9+10 God given then the works is
putting on the word mind and doing it.
This section goes from they did not believe (as seen in John 6:64; 8:46 and others) to verse 39 of this chapter which states that they COULD not believe as prophesied in Isaiah 53:1.
Verse 42 serves as a harsh reminder that we can have belief in Christ but we also must CONFESS with our mouths ( Romans 10:9-10) in order to have saving faith. We are reminded here of Luke 16:15 which states that which is honorable among men is an abomination to God.
Here; it was praise of men that was the cause; and being thrown out of the synagogue; not even direct physical persecution.
Verse 48 reminds us of the conviction of the Spirit as mentioned in John 16:8; a few chapters later. Clearly; the whole Godhead works as a unit in tandem in ways mysterious to man.
Verse 40 goes on further to state from Isaiah about God Himself blinding men. Some other verses on that include 2 Thessalonians 2:11 where God Himself sends strong delusion so that they will believe the lie because of the previous verse where they did not LOVE the truth. Also we have Isaiah 66:4 where it says that God will choose their delusions.
All sin stems from self justification; and self love that cannot accept the true state of our souls as fallen man because of Adam and his progeny that makes up natural man. Naked we come into this world and naked we shall go ( Job 1:21); also see Ecclesiastes 5:15. We cannot love anything above God; Jesus uses the word HATE for anything else ( Luke 14:25-26). We see the general sentiment in verse 25 of this chapter. Clearly; Christ Himself showed love in the previous chapter for Lazarus; Mary and Martha as well as John when He said "Behold your mother" to John at the cross so that he could take care of her. ( John 19:26-27).
There were times when they sought Him out when He stated the more important principle that those who followed Him were brothers; sisters; etc. ( Luke 8:21).
The blueprint for being a child of God or not is in John 12.
I meant Romans 10:14. But Romans 10:18 still applies!
As I was saying, people sometimes use Romans 10:18 to defend those who they say never heard of Jesus or the gospel message of salvation. But they often miss the fact that Paul says in the very same verse, "but I say have they not heard? Yes they have. Their sound went out into all the earth and their words unto the ends of the world." They have already heard! In fact, Paul in Colossians Chapter 1, he talked about that the inhabitable world in his day had already heard the word. They had already heard the gospel. God reaches everybody about the truth and about the one true God.
Every human being that stands before God, and if they say, "Hey, I am illiterate. I didn't even know there was a Bible. I didn't hear the gospel." But God is going to say to them "What happened when my Spirit came to you and illuminated you and shined my light, my life into your spirit? Were you drawn to me or did you try to get away from me?
Not intellectually how did you process it, but spiritually, how was your response to the truth when God's Spirit brought the testimony of the truth to your life? It could have been at a time when mentally you were not even aware of it. But at some point or another, every human being will either be drawn to the light, or will turn away from the light, but every person will be illuminated in some way. It doesn't have to be with words. It does not have to be with language. It doesn't have to be with preaching.
Again, we do differ on this. I will share a few more of my thoughts, not to be argumentative, but to share what I believe. I believe that every single person will one day stand before God and will have to give an account. No person will have an excuse. To me, it does not matter that a person believes in "a god." What matters is that the person believes and surrenders their life to the one true God, Jesus Christ.
There is a tremendous principle being taught in John 1:9. Every single person that is born into this world is at some point enlightened to the truth. There will be no excuse. No one will be able to stand before God and say I didn't know the gospel message about salvation, but I was a good person and always made the right choices because my conscience told me to do so.
Jesus tells us in John Chapter 14 that no one can come to the Father except through Him. In other words, there is no salvation outside of Jesus Christ. So this would eliminate all those who believe in a god, regardless of who their god is, or how good of a person they were.
Psalm 19:1-4 says that creation, the language of creation goes throughout the world. There is no language that does not understand the language of creation. And creation speaks of the Creator. Also, Romans 1:19-20, Paul says that what is known of God is clearly manifest as God reveals the truth of the invisible God to every person.
As far as the Muslims, Buddhists, and all other religions who are worshipping a different god because they "never heard of Jesus," I would also say that they are all without excuse. Now I know some people like to use Romans 10:18 to support what they believe are people, such as primitive tribes, who have never heard the gospel message. They say how is that fair? And they use Romans 10:18, which says how will they believe if they don't hear a preacher? And how are they going to hear a preacher if no preacher is sent?
I am running out of space so I'll send a (part 2)
Isaiah 9:6
Luke 24:27
Matthew 5:17-18
2 Corinthians 1:20
Romans 10:4
There's a different relationship "in Christ," that the law couldn't bring,
Romans 9:31-32
But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
Wherefore? BECAUSE THEY SOUGHT IT NOT BY FAITH, BUT AS IT WERE BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;....
Romans 10:5-9.
For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)
Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Conclusion!!
Romans 11:7-36.
What a great ending!! God bless.
Part 1.
I Agree with Brother Chris "God knowing beforehand the choices that we make & the way our lives will unfold" and the Gospel goes out to all, the invitation is for all, but not all will respond!!
1 John 2:2. And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
Matthew 7:13-14. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, AND FEW THERE BE THAT FIND IT.
Galatians 3:22. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given TO THEM THAT BELIEVE.
Ephesians 1:12-13. That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also AFTER THAT YE BELIEVED, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
So let's make it clear
Romans 10:8-15 is what's relevant.
But look at verse 16. "But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
Here's my thought on this that I'm sure can be improved on.
Romans 9:11. (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, THAT THE PURPOSE OF GOD ACCORDING TO ELECTION might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) Here we have God's way that He Elected..
Next we have "WHEN" God's way was Elected.
Ephesians 1:4. According as he hath chosen us ( IN ) him BEFORE THE FOUNDATION of THE WORLD...
You may find it easier to understand if we look at it as the church or the body of Christ instead of Individuals.
See part 2.
How can you have everlasting life? John 3:3 ...Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
How can you be born again?
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.- Romans 10:9-13
The time of salvation is NOW. Please accept Jesus Christ as your Savior before it's too late. I'm going to put you on my prayer list. But your salvation--whether you act on Jesus Christ as your Savior doesn't hinge on my prayers. Your salvation from sin hinges on your decision to accept Him as your Lord and Savior. God bless you.
I think your doctrine of not believing in Jesus's divinity requires a few hoops to jump through:
1. Not take John 1:1 literally that says Jesus (Word) is God
2. Ignore that God is plural 'we' and 'us' in Genesis
3. Assume that Jesus's behavior as a temporary man with limited power automatically means that that is how He normally is
4. Misinterpret the word "begotten"
5. Ignore the words Godhead and claim its a bad translation
6. Ignore that Jesus's name Immanuel means 'God with us'
7. Ignore 1 John 5:7-8 that the Father, Son, Holy Spirit are one, and try to dilute the word 'one' to make it seem insignificant.
8. Ignore John 1:3 that Jesus has always been and made everything and claim that Jesus was created later
9. Ignore that Jesus is the same I AM in the NT as the I AM in the OT
10. Ignore that Jesus is the same First/Last, Beginning/End in the NT as the same from God in the OT.
There's much more, but I'll stop at 10. I'm also not 100% sure you even read my last 2 replies so I don't want to spent energy on something you may not even read. There's an enormous about of verses supporting that Jesus is God and nothing clearly saying the opposite. For example if you found a verse that says 'Jesus is NOT God', then you would then only begin to your cause to counter the Bible already saying Jesus IS God in John 1:1, but we don't even have that.
With all the scriptural evidence here, is it possible you have any vested interest to prove that Jesus isn't God for another reason? If you read enough verses supporting that Jesus IS God, is that something you might reconsider someday or do you feel content with your current belief?
Do you believe Jesus is truly Lord like it says in Romans 10:9?
God bless.
I appreciate your respectul remarks and am ok with continuing to dialog as long as that remains.
I can offer a challenge to few of your points in your last comment.
1. John 1:1 says, "In the beginning", God does not have a beginning.
It sounds like you are using this as evidence to support your view. I don't view it that way at all. First, this says "in the beginning" not "in God's beginning" or "in the Word's beginning". So, this phrase doesn't suggest any limitation on God whatsoever, but is just marking for us in our own human terms that Jesus was always there.
Do you remember Jesus saying this: "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last." That doesn't mean He's limited, but the opposite, it means He spans everything! Revelation 22:13 - notice the words in red that Jesus said that.
It also says this in Revelation 1:8, notice it says "says the Lord". Lord is Greek word kurios which is supreme authority or God. Some translations say "says the Lord God" and is the same meaning. This is Jesus speaking about Himself, it too is in red.
Isaiah 44:6 "Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God." - notice this is the same claim Jesus made in Revelation. If there's only one and only one who makes that claim then it seems logical that the claim in both the New and Old Testament are from the same being.
Revelation 11:17 - This uses the same word Lord (kurios) of which Jesus is Lord ( Romans 10:9) and uses the word theos (God) with it, so it calls Jesus "Lord God." Do you agree? How do you feel about this verse?
Isaiah 43:11 - "I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour." So, it says Jesus is Lord and our savior in the New Testament and there's no other Lord. Here in the OT it also says the Lord is the savior and no one else. That is all in alignment with John 10:30. Yes?
John 5:23 - we must honor Jesus.
believing parents or communication from another believer or direct intervention from the father we are born again and receive
Power from on high i.e. confess Romans 10:9+10 And believe it in the innermost part of our being heart. We have sinful blood
the only innocent person with perfect or sinless blood was Jesus christ.
Stay with prayers and supplication and reading the Bible. A person who truly seek the truth will be guided by the Holy Spirit. Romans 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Acts 20:28-32
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
Revelation 18:4
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. Agape.
us to do.
Even to get born again takes an individuals actions confessing with mouth and thought and heart which are all things we do the
then God does the miracleof all miracles and were born again a child of God spiritually. The work for a believer daily is to walk
by gods word which in Romans 12:2 which is a lifetime process. All of chapter 3 of collosians has renewed mind keys in thought
and action. Again the work is the process of change in our walk which is required to walk by the spirit. Agapeo.
or meaning of what God did at the time He wanted to do it. You can put there administration of grace which is what it is.
The only time in the History of the world when by confessing Romans 10:9+10 and believing it in your heart that jew or
gentile could be born again of holy spirit and receive christ in them a resurrected spiritual body. Think about it jesus christ
is seated at gods right hand and we have that spiritual body in us. This is not believed because people say its too good to
be true. But in my mind thats how great and big our father is. Lastly look at 1 Corinthians 2:6-8 if the princes of this world
have known what god was going to do on Pentecost they would not have crucified Christ. Why because when he was alive he
was only at one place at a time, now evertime a person gets born again and really believes its christ in them. Thats how great
what we have is. Incredible but thats the truth of Gods Word.
Praise the Lord for His redemption through His blood on the cross that gives Salvation unto all those who believe and trust in Him.
May we all pray diligently for our leaders to believe and have the mind of Christ. 2 Timothy 2:1-4
God bless all on this forum with the wisdom of the Lord. May His comforting hand be on all.
July 14, 2022
I'm not sure it's the same as scriptures. This is just a little slice of a larger pool of scripture. You might enjoy learning how to use the SEARCH ENGINE out on the red page where you come into this website.
Even just remembering a part of a scripture, it will do its best to find everything with that hint.
Acts 13:47
For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ENDS OF THE EARTH.
Romans 10:18
But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
1 Corinthians 10:11
Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
2 Peter 3:7
But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto FIRE against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
Revelation 1:7
Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
Revelation 5:3
And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
Mark 16:15
And he said unto them, Go ye into ALL of the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Mishael
The faith of Christ.
Galatians 2:15-16.
We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by "THE FAITH "OF" CHRIST", even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Who's faith? CHRIST FAITH! We were lacking faith it had to be given to us! Ephesians 2:8-9.
Some have objected to this interpretation, saying that faith (pistis) is feminine, while that (touto) is neuter. That poses no problem, however, as long as it is understood that that does not refer precisely to the noun faith but to the act of believing. Further, this interpretation makes the best sense of the text, since if that refers to by grace you have been saved through faith (that is, to the whole statement), the adding of and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God would be redundant, because grace is defined as an unearned act of God. If salvation is of grace, it has to be an undeserved gift of God. Faith is presented as a gift from God in 2 Peter 1:1, Philippians 1:29, and Acts 3:16.
Boy is that humbling! We can't produce faith, there is nothing to boast on that either!
That is why some say you can lose your salvation, and no one is saved until the Judgement.
THEY'RE NOT SURE. "VOID OF CHRIST FAITH"
Just believing is his name don't cut it either.
John 2;23-24. "Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many "BELIEVED IN HIS NAME", when they saw the miracles which he did. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,
You have to believe in his work, through the Holyspirit. (FAITH OF CHRIST)
Romans 10:9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and SHALT BELIEVE IN THY HEART THAT GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, thou shalt be saved.
1 Corinthians 1:18.
See part 9.
James 2:14-26.
God bless.
Then to 1 Peter 3:21. Again, we see Peter use the phrase 'good conscience', as he did in verse 16. As a 'good conscience' is important to the believer in his confident stand against the forces of evil against him, so also is a 'good conscience' that water baptism provides in his spiritual stand before God & the world. God already knows who belongs to Him (those expressing repentance & faith) - water baptism is immaterial. Water baptism is solely for the benefit of the new convert, for 'conscience-sake'. And obedience? That is the responsibility of the one leading the sinner to Christ ( Romans 10:13-15), to obey the command to follow through with baptizing the convert - not for the baptizee to initiate or obey.
So, I trust that you can see that my understanding on water baptism is simply an event post-saving faith & not contributing to it - an act of identification & clear conscience only. If not, then not only an outward action is needed to secure salvation, there are also many false Christians out there who are yet to be baptized, or physically unable to go into the waters, on their death bed, or neglected by the Church. And we can't make excuses for these poor souls, since 'baptism is (as you believe) necessary for salvation'.
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.- Romans 10:9-13
".....everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Acts 2:21
Father please have mercy on them, us and all in need. Thank you and praise you. In your holy name I pray Lord Jesus. Amen.
Neither Cain, Abel, or Seth was perfect, this is why there was a need for a blood sacrifice. When we look at the book of Hebrews we find out that they were instructed to bring a sacrifice in that manner. Hebrews-11-4. "Faith comes by hearing" Romans 10:17.
So Abel's sacrifice was offered by faith because he had faith in what was preached to him and he showed that by his offering.
I hope this helps.
God bless.