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NASB | Mark 3:30 because they were saying, "He has an unclean spirit." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Mark 3:30 [Jesus said this] because the scribes and Pharisees were [attributing His miracles to Satan by] saying, "He has an unclean spirit." |
Subject: Blasphemy against Holy Spirit |
Bible Note: Norrie: You ask: "They believed they were [saved], can they all have been mistaken about whether they were or weren't?" Yes, it is possible that they were mistaken about whether they were saved. We need to remember that we base doctrine on the Word of God, the Bible, and not on experiences or case examples. A case example -- such as someone who seemed to be saved but turned out not to be -- does not prove anything. Moreover, we test our experience against (by) the Bible, not the other way around. I.e., we do not test the truth of the Bible by whether it lines up with our experience. (Not saying you do, Norrie, just stating a Bible principle here.) Here is one of the best things I've ever read that answers the question "What are the distinguishing marks of genuine saving faith? NOTE that the following is to help one to examine ONE'S OWN SELF. It is not to judge other people as to their salvation. (This is part one of several parts. To read the rest of the article, go to ID 16500 here on the forum or to the following website: (http://www.gty.org/IssuesandAnswers/archive/genuinefaith.htm)) Grace and shalom, kalos ******************** 'Part 1 What kind of things do and do not prove the genuineness of saving faith? '2 Corinthians 13:5 Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you--unless indeed you fail the test? 'Churches today are filled with people who hold to a faith that does not save. James referred to this as a "dead faith"-meaning a mere empty profession (James 2:17, 20, 26). Paul wrote to the people in the church at Corinth to test or examine themselves to see if they were truly in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). As important as it was in Paul's day, how much more important it is for people in our churches today to put their faith to the test and to make sure they have not been deceived. 'But where do we start? By what criteria do we determine true from empty faith? What are the distinguishing marks of genuine saving faith? Surprisingly, there are a number of popular standards or tests that really don't prove the genuineness of one's faith one way or the other. So before we look at the tests that prove genuine faith, let's take a look at some popular tests that neither prove nor disprove the genuineness of one's faith. 'Here is a list of seven conditions that do not prove or disprove the genuineness of saving faith. One can be a Christian and possess these things or one may not be a Christian at all and still possess them. While they don't prove or disprove one's faith, they're important to know and understand so you will not be deceived. 'Seven conditions that do not prove or disprove genuine saving faith. 1. Visible Morality 2. Intellectual Knowledge 3. Religious Involvement 4. Active Ministry 5. Conviction of Sin 6. The Feeling of Assurance 7. A Time of Decision 'These are seven common conditions or tests that don't necessarily prove or disprove the existence of saving faith. What then are the marks of genuine saving faith? Are there some reliable tests from the Word of God that enable us to know for certain whether one's faith is real? Thankfully there are at least nine biblical criteria for examining the genuineness of saving faith.' (to be continued) ____________________ This is part one of several parts. To read the rest of the article, go to ID 16500 here on the forum or to the following website: (http://www.gty.org/IssuesandAnswers/archive/genuinefaith.htm) |