Dear Rick, then why don't you obey Jesus' clear command to be water baptized? Jesus knows that it is Himself who supplies the ability for us to believe in Him. He also knows what He accomplishes in water baptism and in the empowerment of the Holy Spirit (I don't think the Scriptures ever call this the baptism of the Holy Spirit, but I may be wrong). I don't think we really know exactly what He accomplishes in these two actions, but one was explicitly commanded (water baptism) the other (enduement of power by the Holy Spirit). Jesus tied believing and water baptism (not enduement of power by the Holy Spirit) to salvation. I am not one to argue with my Savior, but I just believe what He said and obey.
I am well aware of the sayings of Paul about being saved by grace and not by works of the law. But I believe that he is saying that we cannot gain acceptance with God by thinking that if we obey the law we will be justified. Therefore, so that Jesus would not contradict Himself in what He said in the gospel verses and what He inspired Paul to write, I believe that water baptism is an act of grace on God's part. He bestows grace to us when we avail ourselves to the means He proscribed for one to be saved. This is classical orthodox Christian belief that goes back to the 1st century time of the apostles. Today, when people place grace in and adversarial relationship to obedience to the commands of Jesus, I believe it departs from these age-old teachings that have been affirmed throughout the centuries. I don't think that the "church" just happened to discover this doctrine of grace as an adversary to the good commands of God, thus being incompatible with one another in recent times, thus negating the teaching of the Church through the centuries. I tend to always check to find out what was taught in the early years of the church when I read a Scripture that seems unclear or incompatible my view. Perhaps more people should do this and not rely simply on their own ideas.
I understand that to be Born Again Romans 10:9+10, but what I shared was no compromise, if God tells me to
walk into a forest with someone to get them peaceful in their hearts and mind to receive then that's what I'll do.
Sort of like marching around a certain wall called Jericho and blowing trumpets to knock down a fortress. It
worked because God told Him what to do and he told the people and they obeyed something that made no sense!
Gods Ways are not ours someday we'll believe this stuff. Prayerfully this explains it.
I am well aware of the sayings of Paul about being saved by grace and not by works of the law. But I believe that he is saying that we cannot gain acceptance with God by thinking that if we obey the law we will be justified. Therefore, so that Jesus would not contradict Himself in what He said in the gospel verses and what He inspired Paul to write, I believe that water baptism is an act of grace on God's part. He bestows grace to us when we avail ourselves to the means He proscribed for one to be saved. This is classical orthodox Christian belief that goes back to the 1st century time of the apostles. Today, when people place grace in and adversarial relationship to obedience to the commands of Jesus, I believe it departs from these age-old teachings that have been affirmed throughout the centuries. I don't think that the "church" just happened to discover this doctrine of grace as an adversary to the good commands of God, thus being incompatible with one another in recent times, thus negating the teaching of the Church through the centuries. I tend to always check to find out what was taught in the early years of the church when I read a Scripture that seems unclear or incompatible my view. Perhaps more people should do this and not rely simply on their own ideas.
were never were water baptized but were born again, on that evidence alone confessing Romans 10:9+10
and thanking God for forgiveness of sin is the doctrine to get it done. I'm not going to dispute Paul's teaching
that wa given to Him By Jesus Christin This the Age of Grace. So again I'm Moving on you can judge me as
you wish but I'm not going to judge any I answer to the Judge. If you want stuff on the temple fine if not
moving on GodBless.
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