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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Saved by belief or belief and baptism? | NT general Archive 1 | mark d seyler | 164242 | ||
Hi Emmaus, Thank you for this information. I want to say a bigger thank you to you as well, as over time when you have posted material on the sacraments, you have helped me to learn the greater significance of these things, and how they join us in the physical realm to the spiritual. If I understand you correctly, you are saying that while the motion we go through is ours, the actual work that is performed is Christ's. But if the work is wholly His, how is it that it cannot be performed unless I also perform an action? When we say "works", are we not talking about particular behaviors, actions, that we perform, whether giving alms, attending church, mass, or being baptized? I believe, as you do, that the work of salvation is wholly Christ's to perform, but I do not believe that salvation requires of me a complementary "work" or action. I consider that salvation comes, on my part at least, through an act of will rather than an act of behavior. I believe that I become born again when I choose to repent, and to obey Christ. Love in Christ, mark |
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2 | Saved by belief or belief and baptism? | NT general Archive 1 | Emmaus | 164252 | ||
Mark, Thank you for your kind comments. I hope you won't retract them when I make this next point. You wrote: "I consider that salvation comes, on my part at least, through an act of will rather than an act of behavior. I believe that I become born again when I choose to repent, and to obey Christ." But the Bible says: "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." John 1:12-13 and Jesus taught us to pray "Thy kingdom come and HE prayed in the Garden of Gethsmene: "not my will but your will" (Matthew 26:39). It is only when our will is aligned with the Father's will that anything we do is in Christ and that alignment of will itself comes by the grace of God, though we co-operate with that grace in accepting it. Emmaus |
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3 | Saved by belief or belief and baptism? | NT general Archive 1 | mark d seyler | 164254 | ||
Hi Emmaus, No, I have no cause to retract my comments. You are my beloved brother, and I try to carefully read everything you write, because you have, I believe, wisdom to share with us. I agree with you entirely. I meant to speak only regarding man's part in salvation. It is the Father Who chooses, the Holy Spirit Who draws us, the Son Who redeems us (I know I am being simplistic). It is my will, when, as you correctly said, aligned with the Father's that ushers in salvation, but not my actions. My actions will demonstrate my will, but follow salvation. Yes, as I re-read your post, I am in complete agreement with you. Love in Christ, Mark |
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