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NASB | John 3:16 ¶ "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 3:16 ¶ "For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life. |
Bible Question:
Biblicalman, I wanted to add something to the different beliefs and salvation topic. You probably know that the JW's are well known for their door to door evangelism and believe it's something that must be done as followers of Jesus. Everyone says of the JW's that they do it because they are trying to earn their salvation, they fill out time sheets to turn in on how many hrs they've done for the month and I think it's a requirement when someone decides to join their organization. But when I've discussed this with my husband he says that it's not a requirement by the organization, its a commandment given by Jesus himself to make disciples (Mat 28:19). Another bible verse they use for going door to door is Acts 5:42. I'm just wondering if they are correct in doing that.? Thanks Julia |
Bible Answer: Julia, First, I would ask you to look at those specific verses and ask yourself they hold water. Acts 5:42, is it discussing how to receive salvation? And as we look at the context of the Matthew verse, does it not say how we are to make disciples? It says by baptizing and teaching them. By his logic you are not a christian unless you are performing baptisms and teaching classes! Yet Paul says, 1Co 1:14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 1Co 1:15 so that no one would say you were baptized in my name. 1Co 1:16 Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 1Co 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void. And Christ Himself baptized nobody! And again Paul states,"1Co 12:29 All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they?" So I say to you that his verses prove nothing and accomplish nothing but to upset the faith of those not firmly taught in right doctrine. For we have clearly revealed to us how we are to receive God's gift of salvation in Jesus Christ. Rom 3:25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. (ESV) Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; Eph 2:9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Indeed, all the works and things that we do for God come as a result of salvation, not as a means of attaining salvation. Eph 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. I will pray for you. How hard of a struggle you must have to stand fast in the gospel of pure grace when such things are often preached to you. In Christ, Beja |