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NASB | Matthew 7:13 ¶ "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 7:13 ¶ "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad and easy to travel is the path that leads the way to destruction and eternal loss, and there are many who enter through it. |
Bible Question:
Noland: OK,so it looks to me like a divine plan for salvation. 1 Repentence- asking or going to the lord with Godly sorrow for forgiveness of sins. 2 Baptism in Jesus Name for the remission of sin. also I believe the Blood of Christ is applied to our life, and we are buried with him. 3. Now here's my next Question where does this Holy Ghost stuff come in. (b) How do you recieve this gift Peter talks about in Acts 2:38 ? |
Bible Answer: Receiving the "gift of the Holy Spirit" in Acts 2:38 has been the subject of much controversy. Does the "gift" refer to miraculous manifestions of the Spirit given to only those in the first century? We know that miraculous "gifts" were necessary in the church as the New Testament was in the process of being completed. As you recall, Christians in the first century did receive a miraculous measure of the Holy Spirit. Joel had been quoted by Peter as being fulfilled at this time (Acts 2:17); hence, The Spirit dispensation was now beginning and those who obeyed the gospel would receive all the blessings promised by this dispensation. Through my study the "gift of the Spirit" that Christians receive at the completion of baptism (Acts 2:38) is simply "salvation" from one's sins (Colossians 2:6-13). The Holy Spirit then "attests" to our compliance with the command to be baptised and bears witness to that fact (Romans 8:16). At that point, we become (1) children of God; (2) heirs of God; and (3) joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:16-17). God (through the Spirit) gives his "stamp" (or seal) of approval that we have complied with the Spirit's teachings (Ephesians 1:13). We then receive the "promise" of salvation as promised to Abraham by God in Genesis 12:3; Galations 3:26-29). This "sealing of the Spirit of promise" (Ephesians 1:13) is the "earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession" (obedient Christians - vs. 14). An "earnest" is money given in advance, as a pledge or security that the full amount promised shall be paid. This promise will be fulfilled by God (when Christ returns to reclaim his heritage (faithful Christians), and give us full possession of our heritage in Christ (Ephesians 2:14). Our inheritance is now being "reserved" for those (John 14:1-3; 1 Peter 1:3-5) who (1) continue to "Walk in the Spirit" (continue in the teachings of the Spirit) (Galations 5:16); and (2) for those who remain "faithful" to those teachings (Matthew 24:13; Revelation 2:10). Christians are "kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (1 Peter 1:5). |