Results 1 - 2 of 2
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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 | 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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2 | Clarification from John Reformed...? | Rom 1:16 | Brent Douglass | 41288 | ||
Clarification -- Part 2) a) You say, "I would say that those believers in the OT placed their faith In the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." I am in full agreement with this. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is the true (triune) God -- so far as He revealed Himself to Abraham. Old Testament believers worshipped the true God. b) You went on to say, "It was faith in what God provided at that time that secured their atonement." I think I would disagree. I believe it was faith in God -- which was naturally reflected through obedience and confident practice of the rituals He prescribed. However, '[I]t is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.' (Hebrews 10:4) Even at that time, the sacrifices were never a means of forgiveness; they were never more than an illustration of that which was coming. 'A broken and contrite heart' were what God truly required (Psalm 51:17) -- both during the time of the regular sacrifices and during the time when Daniel, his 3 friends, and other believers were saved by faith when there was neither temple nor tabernacle. The law and sacrificial system were a consistent reminder to the Jews to be humble before God in agreeing as to their sinfulness before a holy God, their inability to restore themselves, and their need for payment to come from elsewhere -- but with a veiled and vague image that was incomplete. The true nature of how God could forgive and the means that He would use were incomprehensible to them. Yet they believed God could and would forgive because He had told them so -- and His character and attributes had been revealed and demonstrated sufficiently elsewhere to attest to His faithfulness and ability; they trusted that God would provide the means, however inconceivable that means may have been to them. I believe this is also the condition of every believer in (the true) God who has not yet encountered the revelation of Christ. All those from Hebrews 11 can attest to both the saving power of active personal faith in God and to the faithfulness of the God who saves. When such a believer encounters Christ, he or she will continue in belief (which has saved them) and add knowledge based on that additional revelation. Thus they will, like Abraham, 'rejoice to see' the day of Christ (Jn 8:56 -- also Jn 7:16-17), and He will give them His Holy Spirit as a pledge. Still others, who were previously unbelievers, will come into contact with the eyewitness history of Christ and believe in Him. The sinfulness of their hearts will be revealed to them, they will be broken before Christ, and they will believe in Him. The mathematical logic appears complete on this; it seems to me to be simply a matter of timing. Jesus the Christ is the complete human revelation of God, and either way the faith is in God. He who rejects Jesus rejects God and needs to repent. The opposite is also true; he who believes in Jesus believes in God and is saved through faith in God and through the blood of Christ. We can reverse these, and they are still true. He who rejects God also rejects Jesus and needs to repent (John 8:42-47), and He who believes in God also believes in Jesus (John 7:16-17) and is thus saved through faith in God and through the blood of Christ. This is great news, and we need to be telling everyone -- both unbelievers and any possible believers still in the dark about Jesus -- HOW God has saved them and us. He has done this by grace -- by pouring out the blood of God the Son, Jesus the promised Messiah. His broken body and shed blood are the only means available; no one comes to the Father except through the Son. I think we understand each other. I don't believe these differences of opinion affect the image of the nature of God, the means of salvation of the vast majority of people whom most western Christians will meet (people who have the opportunity to hear about Christ), or the central truths of who Christ is and what He has accomplished. They need not bring division. However, I believe they may well affect our images of unreached people groups and the methods that we employ, encourage, and tolerate among them by others. For example, I believe any portion of Scripture that reveals God is evangelistic by nature and useful with unbelievers, whereas others may suggest that only the New Testament and certain portions of certain prophets are appropriate and essential to evangelism. Thank you again for your patience. God bless you, brother, Brent |
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