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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Is John 3:16 for real? | Bible general Archive 1 | Dan K. | 28423 | ||
I wonder about the sincerity of John 3:16. We are told that God loves the world (that is, the people of the world) so much that He has provided a way of salvation. But, in order to be saved you must believe the Gospel. My problem is simply this: millions of people have lived and died and never heard the Gospel. It was not possible for them to believe something they never heard. It seems that if God loves the people of this world so much, He would have the ability to see to it that everyone would have the opportunity to at least hear the Gospel. I wonder about John 3:16. Dan K. |
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2 | Is John 3:16 for real? | Bible general Archive 1 | Jensen | 28424 | ||
Dear Dan...A couple of months back you wrote.. "The disciples debated much about who would receive the greatest rewards in the upcoming Kingdom of God. If the Jews, or the disciples, could have merited salvation through self-effort, then Jesus would have died in vain. Those of us who revel in the knowledge of the grace of God know better than that. Our salvation is the gift of God - not of works." If you can fathom the gift of Grace, then you understand well that all deserve destruction. But, there is a lot of info on the verse if you will just try the search feature of this site. It's good to hear from you again...don't be a stranger. God Bless....Jensen |
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3 | Is John 3:16 for real? | Bible general Archive 1 | Dan K. | 28576 | ||
Hi Jensen, I'm sending this note to let you know that your thoughts are much appreciated. I do not take it lightly that you took the time to respond to my inquiry. As you noted, God the Holy Spirit has revealed to me the fact that we are saved by grace alone, so, I am in no danger of falling into the error of universalism. It is however my concern for the lost that causes me to want to be accurate in my presentation of the Gospel. At the moment, I'm struggling with the concept of decisional regeneration. If a person who is lost makes a decision to follow Jesus, are they then saved? Jesus said that none would come to Him unless the Father draw him. Wouldn't it be more accurate for me to say to a lost person, "Pray that God the Father will draw you to Jesus, and if He does, you will be saved?" I well remember Paul debating with the Jews about whether or not a person is chosen to believe. They were of course at base arguing against God's right to do whatever seems good to Him with His own creation. I believe with all my heart that God's Will is the ultimate good. It is God alone who can define good. I am concerned that I would mislead someone into thinking that they are safe and secure in the Lord, when in fact, they have not been drawn by the Father to a saving faith in Jesus. I am so grateful for this internet ministry. May God richly bless all who participate by sharing and caring. Yours in the Lord, Dan K. |
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4 | Is John 3:16 for real? | Bible general Archive 1 | Emmaus | 28668 | ||
Dan, I have been following this very interesting thread. The question you are wrestling with is one that every Christian comes to at some point I believe. I like what Steve Indiana Jones has given you from Romans, Hebrews and Jeremiah. I am a minority voice on the forum coming from a Catholic perspective. But the questions you raised in this particular post to Jensen, makes me think you will find the following link of interest since it address some of the very questiosn you raise. It is from the Council of Trent addressing the question of Justification and how we are called and justified by grace. I think you will be surprised to see how it follows the line of your questions, although you may disagree on some but I doubt many of the points it makes. http://www.ewtn.com/library/COUNCILS/TRENT6.HTM#1 I have also alway found the following quote from the Catechism pertinent to the discussion of this matter. "Although in ways known to himself God can lead those who, through no fault of their own, are ignorant of the Gospel, to that faith without which it is impossible to please him, the Church still has the obligation and also the sacred right to evangelize all men." Hebrews 11:6; 1Cor 9:16 Emmaus |
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5 | Is John 3:16 for real? | Bible general Archive 1 | Dan K. | 28731 | ||
Hello Emmaus, Thank you for your suggestion. I have printed the article (22 pages) and am looking forward to reading it. Although I have come across many references to the Council of Trent, I must confess I have never taken the time to read their findings myself. I'll have to get back to you on this, because, there is much to consider. Once again, thank you for your kind consideration in this matter. I gather from your comment about seeing yourself in the minority that it is no easier for a Catholic to witness to a Protestant, than it is for a Protestant to witness to a Catholic. I praise God for your willingness to witness. Perhaps in some small way we can all influence one another for the betterment of the Kingdom. Yours in the Lord, Dan K. |
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