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NASB | Romans 1:16 ¶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 1:16 ¶ I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation [from His wrath and punishment] to everyone who believes [in Christ as Savior], to the Jew first and also to the Greek. |
Subject: The Gospel the sole means of salvation? |
Bible Note: Dear Cyclist, (I'm about to get myself in trouble again.) The reason I brought this question up was to dispel any notion about people being saved in any way other than the Gospel. My goal is to see that Jesus gets ALL the glory for our salvation! God has known for all eternity what His plan for Creation was going to be. (Act 15:18) "Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world." His plan is perfect. (Deut 32:4) "The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He." God knew Adam would sin. He knew that, with the exception of Noah and His family, that HE would destroy the rest of mankind in the Flood. He knew Abraham would be the father of all who believe etc. etc. ad infinitum. He Knows the beginning and He knows the end. Some say that God looks into the future and sees what is going to happen and it's on that basis He makes His choices. That would make God dependent on something other than Himself. I don't believe that for one minute! I believe that the reason God can guarentee what will happen is because He caused it to happen! It is all part of His Eternal Purpose. Most people would protest: "That would make God the author of evil." God Forbid! Time to go to Scripture: (Acts 4:27,28) "For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel to do whatever YOUR HAND AND YOUR PURPOSE PREDESTINED TO OCCUR." (emphasisis mine). God does not force men to commit evil acts. They do it because it is their nature to do it. Nevertheless God preordains what soever happens. Can we with our powers of reason fully comprehend it? No. But thats what the bible says and that's good enough for me. Every one who God elected unto salvation from the beginning will be saved. Why is this not widely believed among the churches today? It does not fit into their conception of a just God. They would rather tie thenselves in a knot over Romans 9 than accept it's clear teaching. I know because I fought it tooth and nail myself before I surrendered to the truth. No one goes to Hell because they never heard the Gospel. They go to Hell because they are guilty of sin. Grace and Peace, John |