Results 1 - 4 of 4
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Clarification from John Reformed...? | Rom 1:16 | Brent Douglass | 40390 | ||
My first answer was unequivocal, and it's a hill I would die on. The second is a strong belief, but I find a strong current against it among many of my brothers and sisters. If expanded beyond its intent, it would be dangerous, but I believe it's accurate within its limited framework. 2) With regard to faith, I don't believe it is specifically faith in the Gospel that saves but rather active faith in the True God. Abraham was justified by faith, and both the angels themselves as well as all the prophets of the Old Testament longed to know more than was given them to know. (See 1 Peter 1:3-12) 1 Peter 1:20-21 "For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God." It is necessary that have faith in GOD to be saved, and Peter stresses the importance here in 1 Pe 1:21 that believers in Christ are also, by extension, believers in GOD. This is why faith in Christ saves us. Faith in GOD saved Abraham, and faith in GOD saves us. Faith in the true GOD saved Rahab, who knew very little when still a harlot in Jericho but demonstrated active faith in what she knew about Him. Those who haven't had the opportunity to hear Christ still have the witness of the universe, which testifies to the truth of the Creator; they are responsible for responding in faith. (Romans 1:18-25, which provide the context for vv. 16-17.) Only those who reject God by "suppressing the truth" and "exchanging the glory of the incorruptible God" without repentance will be damned, and this constitutes the vast majority of mankind. The one who worships a false God or some created thing or created being has rejected God -- just as surely as those who came face to face with Christ and rejected Him. I do not thus suggest that a devout Buddhist or a devout Hindu is saved through their devotion. Devotion to a false god is simply not faith in GOD. The one who believes God -- and resultantly trusts and obeys Him -- will recognize the truth of Christ when he or she encounters Christ, just as Christ guaranteed and challenged His listeners in Jn 7:16-17. "My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself." No one who believes God will knowingly reject Christ when given full opportunity to encounter Him. Jethro, a priest of God, exalted in God's dealing with Israel; and Melchizedek, the king and priest of Salem, likewise met Abraham in Canaan and led Abraham in worship to the true God. Still others who didn't believe in God prior to encountering Christ through our testimony will repent and believe, just as Rahab, Ruth, and the "mixed multitude" who left Egypt with the Israelites repented and believed when faced with the much more limited revelation of God to them in the Old Testament. Those who refuse Christ have once again rejected God and find themselves doubly condemned. (See Matthew 11:20-24.) The greater the revelation, the greater the judgment for those who refuse to repent and believe, and Christ's life and teaching clarifies and resolves so many unclear and difficult questions that were left unanswered without Him. (See Hebrews 10:26-31). |
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2 | Clarification from John Reformed...? | Rom 1:16 | John Reformed | 40468 | ||
Dear Brent, Rom 1:18-21 "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened." There is not a single person who does not believe that God exists. The problem lies in their suppression of that knowledge. That is the condition of mankind as a result of Adam's fall. In the time prior to the incarnation of Christ, there was but one way which God chose to redeem His people. That way was by faith. The way of faith remained the only way after the incarnation as well. All those who enter into His rest do so through faith. I am sure we are in agreement so far. The question we now need to address is the object of that faith. I would say that those believers in the OT placed their faith In the God of Abraham, Iaasac and Jacob. God had given them the law and the prophets which they were commanded to obey. When they sinned they were to follow the proscribed means which He provided (the sin offerings). It was faith in what God provided at that time that secured their atonement. Looking back from the vantage point of the new covenant, we see these things as the shadows of things to come. The prophycies regarding Messiah have been fulfiled in Christ. We now have a better covenant, with better promises. This new covenant is proclaimed through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe. But how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And How shall they hear without a preacher? The witness of creation reveals God to every man, but it only serves to strip him of any excuses. The Gospel alone has the power of salvation. What then becomes of those who have never heard? Is God therefore injust? And of what use is man's free will if he is not provided an opportunity? God Bless, John |
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3 | Clarification from John Reformed...? | Rom 1:16 | Brent Douglass | 41287 | ||
John, Thank you for your explanation. I'm finding our dialogue helpful in terms of getting to know you and in drawing out my understanding of the Scriptures, and I appreciate your patient input. There are a couple of places that I want to quote and explain where I think we may differ. I will quote you and offer my responses as clearly as possible before explaining further. Thank you again for bearing with me in my wordy responses. It looks like I'll need to break this into 2 responses. Clarification -- Part 1) I think you are correct that we are in agreement as to the beginning portion of your posting. I would use different wording from your quotation below, but I think it's simply a matter of word preference rather than disagreement. Let me know if I'm mistaken on this. "There is not a single person who does not believe that God exists. The problem lies in their suppression of that knowledge. That is the condition of mankind as a result of Adam's fall." I agree that every person has the opportunity to observe the revelation of God's existence; however, I wouldn't classify this as "belief" unless the observations and their obvious conclusion are not completely suppressed. Immediate and consistent suppression of evidence apparently results in a complete absence of even passive faith. (This refusal to face the obvious revealed truth from God -- when coupled with the determined and final rejection of the Spirit's conviction upon a person -- appears to be the one unforgiveable sin, but this is a side idea not immediately necessary to recognize our level of agreement here.) Again, I think this is simply a matter of word usage, and I apologize if I appear to be wrangling over words, but I want to make sure that our identified agreements are accurate. |
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4 | Clarification from John Reformed...? | Rom 1:16 | John Reformed | 41455 | ||
Dear Brother Brent, I am afaid our differences run much deeper than you realize. I regret this very much. But just as aleopard cannot change his spots, neither can you nor I change our beliefs. We are both totaly dependent on the Holy Spirit's enlightenment of our minds. I believe in God's absolute soverignty over mankind. He is meciful to those He chooses and He hardens others (Ro 9). You ,on the other hand, believe God desires to be merciful toward all, and He leaves them to choose for themselves. We can both offer scripture supportive of our respective positions, and it may be that He will use our communication with an another as the means by which we may be brought to the truth. One never knows. But I am convinced that there is no happy medium upon which we may agree. That's OK with me. I hope you feel the same way as I do. I see nothing sinful in two brothers attempting to bring each other into a more perfect understanding of the God we both love and seek to serve. It is now 11:30 PM. I have just recently arrived home from a 14 Hour drive and my mind is beginnig to get fuzzy. I may reread this post tommorro and wonder at it. So please extend me some extra grace on this one. Your Brother, John |
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