What is the word "THAT" referring to in Ephesians 2: 8,9.

[UnoiAmarah]

Salvation is the right answer, which comes by Grace and Faith, works not involved, because it is a gift.

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:8-9

If the 'that' you are referring is the that in bold above, then that would be referring unto "hearing" seeing that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the voice of the Son of God. Oh so it doesn't mean hearing the voice of the Son of God but believing that which is written, then see John 5:25.

Saul had read the OT, and must have heard the gospel from those he persecuted since the law did not judge any man until he had the opportunity to defend his actions.

Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth? John 7:51

So what event happened that resulted in Saul being saved?

 

[JamOn]

I would say you are right as far as the fact he practiced them, but again the scriptures do not specifically say either way so I can't say you aren't right about they were not in the act practicing them at the time of the visitation. Except it seems they already would have been kneeling down wouldn't they?

I can agree with that, here’s another thought how did they know it was noon, they didn’t have mech clocks so they would have had to set up a sundial that would mean stopping and setting it up.

 

[UnoiAmarah]

I can agree with that, here’s another thought how did they know it was noon, they didn’t have mech clocks so they would have had to set up a sundial that would mean stopping and setting it up.

Correct-a-mundo, but here is one, If there are twelve hours in the day, and twelve hours in the night, then would the mid point in a day (midday) be the point between the day and the night during a day?

So does someone need a sundial to know when it is midday?

 

[JamOn]

Correct-a-mundo, but here is one, If there are twelve hours in the day, and twelve hours in the night, then would the mid point in a day (midday) be the point between the day and the night during a day?

So does someone need a sundial to know when it is midday?

Is there 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness, depends on the time of the year and location. i live on the Tropic of Cancer line so no doubt in the winter we get only about 10.5 hours of light

 

[UnoiAmarah]

Is there 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness, depends on the time of the year and location. i live on the Tropic of Cancer line so no doubt in the winter we get only about 10.5 hours of light

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I was referring unto the teaching in John 11:9 regarding the question that was put before the disciples in response to the concern they expressed about the risk of his being stoned to death by the Jews by returning into Judaea, which is an interesting subject. And yes you are right that the amount of duration of sunlight upon a specific location on earth, but I don't want to get off topic but it is interesting subject none the less.

 

[FlyingDove]

Many think Grace or faith is the answer, but it is not.

I believe grace is the gift.

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(NOTE: Sins required wage is DEATH.)

Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
(NOTE: ALL are sinners & deserve DEATH)

Eph 2:8 For "by grace" "are ye saved" "through faith"; and that not of yourselves: "it is the gift of God":
NOTE: By grace, you will be saved, when you apply faith to Christ's sin payment & resurrection. God's Grace is he Gift!)

Thayer's Greek/English Lexicon defines the Greek word (charis) translated gift as: A Gift of Grace, a favor received without merrit.

Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved

Rom 5:15 But not as the offence, so also is the ""free gift"". For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more ""the grace of God"", and the ""gift by grace"", which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

KJV Dictionary Definition - Grace: Appropriately, the free unmerited love and favor of God, the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from him.

Rom 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
(NOTE: Faith, is the conduit/vehicle whereby we access, God's unearned/unmerited ""gift of grace"")

Rom 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as ""God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith"".
(NOTE: To those that believe faith is the gift mentioned in Eph 2:8. ""Although everyone has been dealt/given a measure of faith"". Only those that place their faith in Christ's sin payment & resurrection will be saved).

For those that believe salvation is the gift mentioned in Eph 2:8. Reread the verse, it simply doesn't say by salvation are ye saved.

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
(NOTE: The gift of God's grace has a name. For God so loved the world (Jn 3:16); he gave us Jesus the Christ)

 

[Prycejosh1987]

Many think Grace or faith is the answer, but it is not.

I think Grace is freely given, but at the same time, it is extremely costly, it take a sacrificial life to get it. Its like when your gran makes you a dinner, you didn't pay for the dinner, it was freely given to you and made for you, but you had to invest time, money, and communication into travelling there, getting fed and spending time with your gran.