Results 1 - 6 of 6
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | "ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED"!!! | Matt 22:37 | FTimA | 64132 | ||
Do you not think that Ananias and Sapphira could have been amongst the 3000 souls saved on Pentecost in Acts 1 and 2? Acts 4:32 says, "Now the multitude of those who believed wer of one heart and one soul..." The story of Ananias and Sapphira tells us they were among the believers here and I feel certain they were Christians. God took their lives in an instant. How can you say that a person cannot go to hell, believer or not, if there is sin in their lives? After we are saved we still sin. But, "If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness..." (1 Jn 1:9) This epistle was written to Christians was it not? | ||||||
2 | "ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED"!!! | Matt 22:37 | Hank | 64266 | ||
Hello, FtimA. You say that you "feel certain" that Ananias and Sapphira were Christians. Upon what do you base your conclusion? Certainly not the text of Acts 5; it never says that they were regenerate believers. Yes, they were in the congregation of those who believed (see Acts 4:32). And Peter says that Ananias lied to the Holy Spirit (see Acts 5:3). But there exists the strong probability that this couple is a classic example of hypocrites who faked their spirituality to impress others. (See Matt.6:1-6, 16-18; 15:7; 23:13-36)..... But even if we suppose they were genuine believers and their faith real, do you know without making a giant assumptive leap into fantasy whether these people went to heaven or to hell? The text is mum on that, isn't it? At all events, the story of Ananias and Sapphira is a poor example to use as a proof text that the doctrine of the eternal security of the believer (final perseverence) is false. In fact, there is no viable proof text, properly exegeted in the full context of Scripture, that refutes the doctrine of the perseverence of the saints..... But this thread and this discussion has gone beyond its proper tether. Please, if you wish to read scores of additional posts on this subject, avail yourself of the Search feature and type in words such as "eternal security" or "perseverence" or "once saved always saved." Those of us who have been around for many months recognize this topic as being well-worn and milked dry already. I myself have made dozens of posts on this very subject and anything further I could add would be merely an exercise of sawing sawdust. --Hank | ||||||
3 | "ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED"!!! | Matt 22:37 | FTimA | 64400 | ||
What is a regenerate believer? |
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4 | "ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED"!!! | Matt 22:37 | Hank | 64414 | ||
FTimA: The answer to your question, "What is a regenerate believer?" is this: A regenerate believer is a Christian -- genuine, not just in name only, but a repentent sinner who has been born again. See Christ's discourse with Nicodemus in John 3. --Hank | ||||||
5 | "ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED"!!! | Matt 22:37 | FTimA | 64418 | ||
Thank you for the clarification but if I am a believer how does the word "regenerate" come into play? I am familiar with the discourse with Nicodemus. What was Jesus talking about with him when he said, "unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God"? |
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6 | "ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED"!!! | Matt 22:37 | Hank | 64443 | ||
FTimA: You ask: "If I am a believer, how does the word "regenerate" come into play. The answer: "Regenerate" is a compound word derived from the Latin "re" (again, anew) and generare (to beget); hence, the English meaning in the biblical context of John 3 is "begot anew" or "born again" -- referring to the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the penitent sinner at the moment of salvation. It is both instantaneous and permanent, based on neither immersion in water nor subsequent good works. Salvation is solely of God, springs solely from his grace, and is effected in us by faith alone in Christ alone. Any modification by man to God's plan is not scriptural, constitutes false teaching, and is thus invalid....... As for your question concerning Jesus' phrase in John 3:5, "born of water," it has been variously interpreted to mean [1] natural birth (very logical when it is juxtaposed with spiritual birth); [2] figuratively, renewal or spiritual cleansing (see Numbers 19:17-19; Psalm 51:9,10; Isaiah 32:15; Jer.2:13; Joel 2:28,29) [3] the word of God, as in John 15:3; or [4] water baptism, that of John or that of Jesus and His disciples. The least likely is [4] water baptism, because that interpretation contradicts many other New Testament passages, e.g. Ephesians 2:8-9. One truth is clear: the new birth (regeneraton) is from God through the Holy Spirit. Water baptism is an act of obedience that follows the new birth in Christ but does effect it. --Hank | ||||||