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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. |
Bible Question:
Brother John Reformed, I'd like to respond to your question, but I need to clarify something first. In the posting that I'm responding to, you made the statement, "I ask this question to bring into focus the erroneous doctine of Arminius and his followers." Were you referring to your frequent asking of the question, "What happens to people who never have heard the Gospel (does God have an alternative plan for their salvation)?" to "Bible-believing Christians" in general? OR Were you referring more specifically to your posting of the original question to the forum? -- "Dear Forum, I would like to propose a discussion concerning the Gospel. Is it God's sole means of salvation?" FYI -- I would not place myself as either a follower of Arminius (and all of the "points" of his followers at Dort) or as a full 5-point Calvinist. Based on my reading of the Scriptures, I can not fully agree with either group. |
Bible Answer: Dear Brent, At the time I posted my original question (Is the Gospel the sole means by which men must be saved?), I was convinced that the answer was absolutey yes. I posted it for the purpose of drawing people into the debate over "free will in unregenerated man" (who chooses whom?). The reason for this somewhat circuitous approch, was based on a conviction I held at the time, which was: If it can shown that God does not supply the means of salvation to every individual, then we must conclude that, He never intended to save all men. Since my initial post, my conviction of the efficacy of my premise has proved to be less than scriptual. I have found that there have indeed been some exceptions. The thief next to Jesus on the cross for one. Others may include those who die in infancy, the mentaly and physicaly handicapped (those so severely afflicted that normal means of communication are for them impossible). Matt 19:26 "And looking at them Jesus said to them, "With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." The last thing a defender of "Soverign Grace" wants to do is to employ human reason to put God in a box! Perhaps the question would be better asked thus: Is the Gospel the ordinary means by which God calls His calls men unto Himself? God Bless Brent, John PS On which of the 5 points do you disagree? |