Salvation is a Free Gift from God but the road to Salvation is not Free! Even Jesus Himself said that few will make it through the narrow gate and Jesus was / is God in the Living flesh and blood!
Am I correct with my understanding of this? Faith in Jesus alone = salvation
- Thread starter LeeLoving
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What you are experiencing is the truth that God's one requirement for salvation
can be expressed in various ways that are summarized by the word "faith",
so you will need to employ the semantic/hermeneutic gift of "both-and" logic,
which means being able to harmonize Scripture or see synonyms and essential similarities,
like describing different facets of one diamond or understanding anatomy by adding one system at a time.
For a systematic and rather complete consideration of the doctrine of salvation/soteriology,
please see Lesson 2 (The Christian Creed) of our website: <truthseekersfellowship.com>
LIC, GWH
One has physically act upon what Jesus had said until they are able to get the Father to reveal Himself!
James 2:17 > "Faith without action is useless"
The only thing that involves sacrifice on one's behalf that Jesus mentioned was to give to the poor and needy. Jesus sacrificed his life both physically and symbolically for all the sins of humanity therefor all people need to sacrifice for one another in order to make it to the Father! This is also validated in Romans (written by Paul the Apostle) where one will be judged based on their pursuit of Righteousness and Good Works instead of their sins. Why? Jesus already paid for the sins of humanity therefor people will be judged by how treat one another by their pursuits of Righteousness and Good Works!
No one ever claimed that they made it to the Father just by claiming that they were "Saved!" Everything has to match the Bible 100% and to match Scripture exactly one is required to go through Jesus to get to the Father, correct? Salvation is the Free but the path that leads to that Salvation not Free!
Jesus would have said this exactly but instead Jesus said that few will make it through the narrow gate (Mathew 7:13 ~14) and Jesus was / is God in the living flesh and blood according to the Book of John. This would mean that one would be required to physically do something to get to the Father in order to become "Saved." The only thing that Jesus really asked of His followers that involved physical sacrifice was to give to the poor and needy!
Yes, action/work/effort is a layer that complements the skeletal foundation of faith (Jam. 2:18-22).
Yes, good works includes helping the poor (Matt. 19:21, cf. Eph. 4:28).
Yes, love for one another may be manifested by sacrifice, even of one's own life (John 15:13, Rom. 5:7-8).
Yes, judgment includes works (per Rom. 2:6-11).
Yes, Jesus paid the price for the sins of humanity (Rom. 3:21-25).
Yes, claims to have saving belief in Jesus as Lord may be insincere (Matt. 7:21).
No, one does not need to understand Scripture perfectly in order to be saved,
but rather a sinner needs to understand God's requirement for salvation sufficiently (John 16:12-13).
Yes, God's grace is free, but the path of sanctification may include struggle and suffering (2Cor. 11:23-28).
Yes, everyone is required to to go through Jesus, but those without the Gospel are saved by faith
in God as revealed (Rom. 1:20, 2:15, Gen. 9:12-13, 12:7, 18:1, 20:3, 22:11, Acts 9:3-5, etc.).
Yes, few may be saved (Matt. 7:13-14), but that is not God's fault (Matt. 13:14-15).
Yes, the evidence of faith in Jesus as Lord is serving him with one's body (Rom. 6:13, 12:1, 1Cor. 6:20).
Personally, with a conversation like this, I like to try and strip it back to a few simple fundamental truths, rather than going down the analytical deep dive on many different bible verses route.
- We are saved by grace and grace alone, our acts don't even come into it.
- We can choose to accept or reject our salvation
- If we accept, we should have a real relationship with God where we daily read the word, pray, and wait on Him
In Hebrews 10:26, to sin willfully carries the idea of deliberate intention that is habitual, which stems from rejecting Christ deliberately. This is continuous action, a matter of practice. Now we don't walk along our daily life and "accidentally" fall into a pit called sin. We exercise our will but, the use of the participle clearly shows willful, habitual, continuous action. The unrighteous practice sin (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21); not the righteous, who are born of God. (1 Corinthians 6:11; 1 John 3:9)
Amen
“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; ( he acted in faith after god spoke to him )by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.”
Hebrews 11:7-8 KJV
faith is like when god told Abraham to leave his homeland and he would later bless him and all nations through him , and then Abraham believed him and obeyed and followed his word believing Abraham walked by faith
Or when he told Noah “ the world is going to end in a flood build an ark as I tell you and you and your family will live “ and then Noah believed him and acted and built the ark and obeyed and was saved . He acted as n faith of what gods word said to him .
If noah said “I believe you lord but I won’t build that ark it’s a work “ that wouldn’t have been faith he acted only because he heard and believed gods warnings of the flood and instructions of the ark
Show us where Jesus said that whoever is not baptized will be condemned. Mark 16:16(b) - but he who does not believe will be condemned. The omission of baptized with "does not believe" shows that Jesus does not make baptism absolutely necessary for salvation. Condemnation rests on unbelief and not on a lack of baptism. John 3:18 - He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who (is not water baptized? - NO) does not believe is condemned already, because he has not (been water baptized? - NO) because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
What did these Jews already believe? In Acts 2:37, their "belief" at this point was mere "mental assent" that Jesus was the Messiah, and they were guilty of crucifying Him. *That is not saving belief yet. They still needed to repent (change their mind) and by faith trust in Jesus Christ for salvation. Two sides to the same coin.
In Acts 2:38, "for the remission of sins" does not refer back to both clauses, "you all repent" and "each one of you be baptized," but refers only to the first. Peter is saying "repent unto the remission of your sins," the same as in Acts 3:19. The clause "each one of you be baptized" is parenthetical. This is exactly what Acts 3:19 teaches except that Peter omits the parenthesis.
The only logical and Biblical conclusion when properly harmonizing scripture with scripture is that faith in Jesus Christ "implied in genuine repentance" (rather than water baptism) brings the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 5:31; 10:43-47; 11:17-18; 13:38-39; 15:7-9; 16:31; 20:21; 26:18) *Perfect Harmony*
Simon the sorcerer is said to have “believed and was baptized” at the preaching of Philip (Acts 8:13) but later, when Simon offers the apostles money to have their ability to impart the Holy Spirit (verses 18–19), he is rebuked by Peter. Peter answered: "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity. (verses 20-24) You called that saved? Even though we read that Simon "believed," the remainder of the verse hints at the true object of his belief: "the miracles and signs which were done." No saving belief in Christ.
The eunuch believed and was saved then afterwards, baptized. In keeping with harmony with scripture, in John 20:31, we read - but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
The language in Acts 22:16 is similar to the statement of Christ when He took the bread and said, "This is my body." (Matthew 26:26) The bread was only the emblem of His body. Baptism is the emblem of the washing away of sins by the blood of Christ. Every time a believer is immersed, he washes away his sins in the same sense Paul did: not literally, but ceremonially, pointing to the blood of Christ by which sins are actually washed away. (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; 1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5)
Same pattern. BELIEVED, saved then baptized.
Paul's answer to the question, "what must I do to be saved" was "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, you and your household (if they also believe). Not believe and get baptized and you will be saved.
BELIEVED, saved then baptized.
CONTINUED..
In 1 Peter 3:21, Peter tells us that baptism now saves you, yet when Peter uses this phrase, he continues in the same sentence to explain exactly what he means by it. He said that baptism now saves you-not the removal of dirt from the flesh (that is, not as an outward, physical act which washes dirt from the body--that is not what saves you), "but an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (that is, as an inward, spiritual transaction between God and the individual, a transaction that is symbolized by the outward ceremony of water baptism).
Just as the eight people in the ark were "saved THROUGH water" as they were IN THE ARK. They were not literally saved "by" the water. Hebrews 11:7 is clear on this point (..built an ARK for the SAVING of his household). *The context reveals that ONLY the righteous (Noah and his family) were DRY and therefore SAFE. In contrast, only the wicked in Noah's day came in contact with the water and they all perished. So, by Peter saying, "not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience - through the resurrection of Jesus Christ," Peter guards against saving power to the physical ceremony in H20.
We are to take the SUM of what God says and properly harmonize scripture with scripture before reaching our conclusion on doctrine and not distort and pervert passages of scripture in an effort to "patch together" a works based false gospel.
I have no problem with Mark 16:16 and the second clause clarifies the first. Also, if water baptism is absolutely required for salvation, then we would expect Jesus to mention it in the following verses. (3:15,16,18; 5:24; 6:29,40,47; 11:25,26) Yet what is the ONE requirement that Jesus mentions NINE different times in each of these complete statements *BELIEVES. *What happened to baptism? *Hermeneutics.
That salvation is by grace through faith and is not by works is not hard to understand. (Ephesians 2:8,9) It's just hard for works-salvationists to ACCEPT. It's a shame that human pride will not allow works-salvationists to place their faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. (Romans 4:5-6) Their hands are full of their works (with a heavy emphasis on baptism) and they will not let go in order to receive Christ through faith.
Amen. Yes, faith first, last and in between (Eph. 2:8-9, Rom. 1;17),
followed by/manifested as/motivating good/godly works or loving/spiritual fruit (Eph. 2:10, Rom. 5:5, Gal. 5:22-23).
" believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved"
yes, that is the sum total.
not having 100% faith, belief and trust and confidence in Christ = not saved.
salvation is His, found in Him, not in us. we don't save ourselves..
I would call it the foundational truth to which everything pertaining to God is subsumed. Believing into Christ (which is what the text actually says) is eternal life because he lives forever. That indicates a willful and perpetual action until death.
You honestly believe that this verse is not written as a generality?
You honestly believe this is the sum total that grants the remission of sins and hence salvation?
Percentage, trust and confidence is not in the sum total of the verse. You are simply adding to the passage that which is not expressed.
Bad form.
Agreed but not in question.
Galatians 3:27- “as many of you as have been baptized INTO Christ, have put on Christ.”
The only way the Bible says we get “into” Christ is to be baptized INTO Him. When we are baptized INTO Christ, we put Him “on.” The Bible does not say we “believe” ourselves into Christ. We “believe” in Him as the son of God, but we are “put” into Him by baptism. Those are the words of the Holy Spirit—not mine.
Romans 8:1, the Spirit says, “ there is no condemnation to those who are IN Christ Jesus.” We must be “in” Christ to be saved. The ONLY way we get “in” Jesus is to be baptized into Him. While “belief” is necessary, The Bible does not teach that we “believe” ourselves into Christ. Only baptism puts us “into” Him and allows us to “put Him on.”. That makes “faith only” not enough—just like James says. (2:24)
In 1 Cor. 1, Paul is condemning religious division and says that some of them were calling themselves after men’s names. He says there are 2 things that are necessary in order for you to wear a person’s name: 1). That person must have been CRUCIFIED for you…and
2). YOU must have been BAPTIZED in his name.
Paul is telling them don’t call yourself after me, because I was not crucified for you and you were not baptized in my name. Therefore, you cannot say “I am of Paul.”; and for the same reasons you cannot call yourselves “of Apollo’s” or “of Cephas.”
This is significant because, this means that if you have not been baptized into Christ, according to Paul’s argument, you cannot call yourself “after Him.” You cannot wear His name. You have not “put Him on.” Gal. 3:27. How can you call yourself “ Christian” after Him if you are not “in” Him? If you have not put Him on in baptism or been baptized in His name? So, it is conceivable that there are some people calling themselves “Christian” after the name of Christ, who are NOT “Christian”. Because they believe baptism is not necessary and have never Put Christ on in baptism. They have never been baptized in His name.
Another scripture in harmony with Acts 2:38, 1 Peter 3:21, and Mark 16:16.
We are NOT saved by “faith alone” just as James 2:24 says. We are saved by ALL that the Bible says about salvation. There are many scriptures that teach we are saved by “faith”, but not one that says we are saved by “faith only” or “faith alone.” If there is one, then where?
When Peter says we are saved by “baptism”, (3:21), no one that I have ever known has taught that we are saved by “baptism only” or “ baptism alone.” When the Bible says we are saved by”repentance”, (Acts 2:38, Luke 13,3, Acts 3:19.). I’ve never heard of anyone claiming we are saved by “repentance alone” or “repentance only.” When Roman’s 10 says “ confession” is unto salvation, no one that I know claims salvation by “confession only” or “confession alone.” Why, then, do people teach that we are saved by “faith” alone? Of course, if we are saved by “faith alone” then that means repentance and confession have nothing to do with our salvation. And isn’t that contradicting what God says?
Psalms 119:160 says that the “sum” of God’s word is truth or the “entirety” (All) of it. Don’t “take away” baptism from God’s plan of salvation. Revelation 22:19. 1 Peter 3:21 is part of God’s truth. God put it there. Will you believe what God says?
The only way the Bible says we get “into” Christ is to be baptized INTO Him. When we are baptized INTO Christ, we put Him “on.” The Bible does not say we “believe” ourselves into Christ. We “believe” in Him as the son of God, but we are “put” into Him by baptism. Those are the words of the Holy Spirit—not mine.
Romans 8:1, the Spirit says, “ there is no condemnation to those who are IN Christ Jesus.” We must be “in” Christ to be saved. The ONLY way we get “in” Jesus is to be baptized into Him. While “belief” is necessary, The Bible does not teach that we “believe” ourselves into Christ. Only baptism puts us “into” Him and allows us to “put Him on.”. That makes “faith only” not enough—just like James says. (2:24)
In 1 Cor. 1, Paul is condemning religious division and says that some of them were calling themselves after men’s names. He says there are 2 things that are necessary in order for you to wear a person’s name: 1). That person must have been CRUCIFIED for you…and
2). YOU must have been BAPTIZED in his name.
Paul is telling them don’t call yourself after me, because I was not crucified for you and you were not baptized in my name. Therefore, you cannot say “I am of Paul.”; and for the same reasons you cannot call yourselves “of Apollo’s” or “of Cephas.”
This is significant because, this means that if you have not been baptized into Christ, according to Paul’s argument, you cannot call yourself “after Him.” You cannot wear His name. You have not “put Him on.” Gal. 3:27. How can you call yourself “ Christian” after Him if you are not “in” Him? If you have not put Him on in baptism or been baptized in His name? So, it is conceivable that there are some people calling themselves “Christian” after the name of Christ, who are NOT “Christian”. Because they believe baptism is not necessary and have never Put Christ on in baptism. They have never been baptized in His name.
Another scripture in harmony with Acts 2:38, 1 Peter 3:21, and Mark 16:16.
We are NOT saved by “faith alone” just as James 2:24 says. We are saved by ALL that the Bible says about salvation. There are many scriptures that teach we are saved by “faith”, but not one that says we are saved by “faith only” or “faith alone.” If there is one, then where?
When Peter says we are saved by “baptism”, (3:21), no one that I have ever known has taught that we are saved by “baptism only” or “ baptism alone.” When the Bible says we are saved by”repentance”, (Acts 2:38, Luke 13,3, Acts 3:19.). I’ve never heard of anyone claiming we are saved by “repentance alone” or “repentance only.” When Roman’s 10 says “ confession” is unto salvation, no one that I know claims salvation by “confession only” or “confession alone.” Why, then, do people teach that we are saved by “faith” alone? Of course, if we are saved by “faith alone” then that means repentance and confession have nothing to do with our salvation. And isn’t that contradicting what God says?
Psalms 119:160 says that the “sum” of God’s word is truth or the “entirety” (All) of it. Don’t “take away” baptism from God’s plan of salvation. Revelation 22:19. 1 Peter 3:21 is part of God’s truth. God put it there. Will you believe what God says?
1Co 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Gal 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.
We are saved by love.
Which faith comes by love, and grace comes by faith.
Everything concerning our salvation stems from love.
No love then no faith then no grace.
1Co 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
1Co 13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
1Co 13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
1Co 13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
This is the definition of love.
Which love does not think an evil thought, and does not rejoice in sinning, but rejoices in the truth to abstain from sin led by the Spirit.
2Ti 3:4 lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2Ti 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Some people do not come to the truth but enjoy sin thinking they are alright which Jesus will say depart from me.
1Co 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
Without love we are nothing.
Jas 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
Jas 2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
Jas 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Without love our faith is dead.
1Jn 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
1Jn 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
Without love the love of God does not dwell in us.
So do not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed, works, and in truth.
We are saved by faith, and not by works, when we first confess Christ for that is all we can do.
But after we receive the Spirit then we have to have works of love for faith to be valid.
For true faith has the proper perspective that God's kingdom is love.
1Ti 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
1Ti 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
1Ti 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
People who preach the prosperity Gospel we are
Gal 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.
We are saved by love.
Which faith comes by love, and grace comes by faith.
Everything concerning our salvation stems from love.
No love then no faith then no grace.
1Co 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
1Co 13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
1Co 13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
1Co 13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
This is the definition of love.
Which love does not think an evil thought, and does not rejoice in sinning, but rejoices in the truth to abstain from sin led by the Spirit.
2Ti 3:4 lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2Ti 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Some people do not come to the truth but enjoy sin thinking they are alright which Jesus will say depart from me.
1Co 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
Without love we are nothing.
Jas 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
Jas 2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
Jas 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Without love our faith is dead.
1Jn 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
1Jn 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
Without love the love of God does not dwell in us.
So do not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed, works, and in truth.
We are saved by faith, and not by works, when we first confess Christ for that is all we can do.
But after we receive the Spirit then we have to have works of love for faith to be valid.
For true faith has the proper perspective that God's kingdom is love.
1Ti 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
1Ti 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
1Ti 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
People who preach the prosperity Gospel we are
Sorry if this is long, Part 1
In order to understand we have to rightly divide HIS word.
We also MUST be humble, not adding to HIS word of taking away everything has to fit like a giant puzzle.
I appreciate you not wanting for people to share from web sites, they are no different then my personal opinion of what I want HIS word to say and I start my who sight. MEN'S OPINION IS MEN'S OPINION.
For instance, who is the ceo of got questions.org?
The CEO of GotQuestions.org is S. Michael Houdmann.
So people who quote from got questions .org are quoting Miclael Houdmann NOT GOD.
Who are we to follow JESUS or men, if they have their own web sight does that men they know more than GOD?
Now HIS word.
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John JESUS walked with us.
Acts the building of the church.
All books after that were letters to those who have been saved with the foundation of the book of Acts. ON THE MEAT so to speak and off of the milk.
First I will tell you share HIS word on what we must do to be saved, then I will put the other verse in there place.
JESUS said this,
Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
When JESUS was speaking to Nicodemus in John 3 he said this.
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
HIS words, can't ENTER heaven with out being born of water and of spirit PEROID.
Verse 6, That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
So HE also separates natural from spiritual which eliminates those who think when he says water means our natural birth. Our natural birth gives us our sins, spirit birth gets rid of them.
So if a person just pulls out John 3:14-18 I ask if you believe what JESUS says in John 3:14-18 why not what HE says in John 3:3-5?
Lets look at 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.
Notice the word SHOULD not paristh, meaning if you believe in HIS you SHOULD not parrish that does NOT SAY believe in him and you are saved.
Now lets look at what HE told his disciples in Acts which lines up with John 3:3-5.
JESUS told HIS disciples,
Acts 1:4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Notice baptized with water and baptized with the Holy Ghost, John 3:5 said can't enter with out being born of water and of the spirit.
This happened AFTER THEY OBEYED,
Acts 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
This is what Peter says happens when you get the Holy Ghost.
Acts 2:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
JESUS says this is what happens when you get the Holy Ghost.
Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
JESUS said in Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
This was that message that JESUS promised to be preached.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
NOTICE, it all lines up with JESUS said in Matthew 4:17, REPENT and what HE said in John 3, water and spirit.
Part 2,
Examples of people being reborn of water and of spirit.
Samarian's,
Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, (((they were baptized, both men and women.)))
13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
NOTICE, Water and spirit, they were baptized but did not receive the Holy Ghost, how did they know they didn't received it? They didn't HEAR anything so they sent for Peter and John and day later JESUS filled them.
Gentiles,
Acts 10:45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
NOTICE water and spirit. In this case JESUS filled them with the Holy Ghost then they were commanded to be baptized.
Ephesians, App 20 YEARS after the day of Pentecost, Paul
Acts 19:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
NOTICE water and spirit, they were baptized then JESUS filled them with the Holy Ghost.
After the book of Acts,
As we can see Paul was speaking to the church he started.
1 Corinthians 1 Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their's and our's:
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
1 Moreover, (((brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you))), which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
NOTICE, BRETHREN, THE GOSPEL WHICH HE PREACHED UNTO YOU.
Meaning it happened in the past.
Paul was NOT talking to the unsaved.
AGAIN Paul is speaking to the church he started
Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:
In Romans 3 he is explaining we are all the same in GOD'S eyes.
NOTICE the first word BRETHREN, again he is speaking to the church.
Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
Romans 10:9 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.
Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Paul is telling them TO GET OUT AND PREACH, and verse 9 he is saying confess JESUS and you SHALL BE SAVED. After we are reborn WE ARE SUPPOSE TO WORK FOF HIM.
So much for once save always saved, that is a prefect verse to prove it wrong.
That is your eisegesis. Galatians 3:26 - For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus (Period.) Not through faith and water baptism. Also read John 1:12 - But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. *Received Him, given the right to become children of God, through believing in His name, not through water baptism.
Galatians 3:27 - For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on/clothed yourself with Christ. The Greek word for "put on" is "enduo" and means to enclose oneself in, as when one "puts on" clothes or armor or some other item. Involved in this is the idea of "imitation" and "identification." Just as 1 Corinthians 10:2 says that all (the Israelites) were "baptized into Moses" in the cloud and in the sea, but this does not mean that the Israelites were literally water baptized into the body of Moses. We are Spirit baptized into the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13) and the only sense that we are water baptized into Christ would be in the same sense that the Israelites were baptized into Moses. (1 Corinthians 10:2) There is little dispute that being "baptized into Moses" signified the open allegiance and public identification of the Israelites with Moses as their leader. Moses was formally recognized as the leader of the covenant people. Water baptism signifies our allegiance and public identification with Christ as our Savior, so it would only be in that sense. So how does one "put on" Christ in baptism? Is it because one becomes a "child of God" through water baptism? NO. Is Paul saying that we become children of God by water baptism as much as children of God by faith in Christ? NO.
"Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light...put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof." (Romans 13:12,14) This exhortation is written to Christians (those already saved). Evidently then, baptism is not the only way to "put on" Christ. To "put on" Christ is to conform to Him, imitate Him. So it is in baptism; we "put on" Christ, conforming to Him in the ordinance that declares Him to be our Savior. So if "put on" Christ means saved through water baptism, apparently we are not saved yet. We must also "put on" Christ by making no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts in order to be saved as well. (Romans 13:14) Right? NO. This exhortation is to those ALREADY SAVED.
"Put off," wrote Paul, "the old man," and "put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness" (Ephesians 4:22,24); And, "put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (Ephesians 6:11)
The allusion is to putting off old clothes and putting on new ones, to enclosing oneself in armor, etc. When a soldier puts on armor he is imitating his superiors and trainers, is revealing himself to be a soldier. One does not put on a uniform in order to become a soldier. Simply putting on a soldier's uniform does not make one become a soldier. Once one is made a soldier one is then able to put on and wear the uniform that distinguishes or marks them as a soldier. It's the same with putting on a judge's robe. Simply putting on a robe in of itself, does not make anyone become a judge, but one who has been made a judge is qualified to put on judicial robes and thus declare their qualifications.
So too with being water baptized, the Christian puts on robes for which they has previously been qualified to wear. The putting on of Christ is not what makes one become a Christian, but one which becomes a token of it, as in Romans 13:14. If one sets out to put on the clothes of a Christian, in water baptism, without first becoming a Christian (child of God through faith), then one becomes an imposter, and is declaring, in baptism, to be what they are not.
We are Spirit baptized into the body of Christ and not water baptized. 1 Corinthians 12:13 - For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. This is signified, but not procured in water baptism.
Faith only per James 2:24 is referring to an empty profession of faith/dead faith and not authentic faith. James 2:14 - says/claims (key word) to have faith but has no works. So, James is not using the word "justified" in James 2:24 to mean "accounted as righteous" but is shown to be righteous. James is discussing the evidence of faith (says-claims to have faith but has no works/I will show you my faith by my works - James 2:14-18) and not the initial act of being accounted as righteous with God. (Romans 4:2-3) Works bear out the justification that already came by faith. *Not to be confused with faith that trusts in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. (Romans 4:5-6; Ephesians 2:8,9)
Again, if one sets out to put on the clothes of a Christian, in water baptism, without first becoming a Christian (child of God through faith), then one becomes an imposter, and is declaring, in baptism, to be what they are not.
CONTINUED..