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NASB | John 1:12 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, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 1:12 But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right [the authority, the privilege] to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name-- [Is 56:5] |
Subject: Are we presenting the gospel scripturaly |
Bible Note: Hi Doc, Thank you very much for the clarity with which you stated yourself! I posted some of the verses that have shown, to me, a chronology of salvation, and I simply wondered if there was perhaps some other way of looking at them. I have seen this on a number of occasions that the way I have understood a verse may not be the only way it can be understood, and this could be one of those times. You may be suprised at the number of times I have changed my theology based on new understandings of particular verses. Having not seen another way to understand these verses, and since they seem so very clear, and others like them, then I must continue to believe that repentance and belief come before rebirth, and so we are a different sides of that particular line. Prevenient Grace - thank you! I had a feeling I wasn't saying it right! Yes, I definitaly have read many verses of the universal invitation, and it seems very clear that God offers salvation to everyone. The only order of salvation that I could possibly be comfortable with is that which is demostrated in the Bible, in the verses I cited, among others. Call it unorthodox if you wish (said word has many mis-applications already - everyone claims orthodoxy - its just another way of saying "I'm right"). I don't think that the order you have proposed for my thinking quite matched what I have in mind, but thats fine, I receive it in the spirit that it was offered. :-) If we were to simplify as much as possible what I believe, it would be something like this: At some point in everyone's life, God offers grace and salvation to every person, at such a time and in such a way as to give them a true and real opportunity to be saved. Some say yes, and many say no. And of those who say yes, some really mean it, and are really saved, and many don't, and are not. God prefers that all would be saved. That's it in a nutshell. I want you to know, I truly am interested in an exposition of those verses I referenced, if there is anyone who believe I am misunderstanding what they say. If you can show me from the Scriptures how they mean something different, I wll be able to identify and correct an error. As I am analysing Scriptures on this forum, it is for the purpose of showing not only my conclusions but also my process. I do this so that others might critique my analysis, to make sure I have not "gone off the deep end" in an emotion fit. ;-) Please feel free to point out to me if you think that I have made an error in exposition, whether it be based on an overpowering emotional state or something else. I have seen very technical forums, which have been very interesting to read, until they completely lost me. Definately, ours is more of a lay-person's forum. Again, I want to thank you for the spirit in which you have written, and I hope I have not said anything to offend. Love in Christ, Mark |