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NASB | Ephesians 1:10 with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 1:10 with regard to the fulfillment of the times [that is, the end of history, the climax of the ages]--to bring all things together in Christ, [both] things in the heavens and things on the earth. |
Subject: Covenants and Dispensation? |
Bible Note: Joe, I hold with free grace, but not in quite the same sense as I understand some proponents of it to mean. One of the "proof texts" that is frequently cited is Ephesians 2:8-9 in which Paul says we have been saved by grace through faith, not of ourselves; it is a gift of God; not of works lest anyone should boast. But Paul doesn't leave it at that. He says (v.10) that we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good WORKS (emphasis mine). I believe the Bible teaches that salvation is a gift of God and that there is nothing we can do -- no "works" -- to earn it. However, it also teaches that good works are the result of regeneration. James speaks of a faith that is without works as being a dead faith. Not everything which is claimed to be faith is genuine. Thus if someone who claims to have been saved "continues in sin that grace may abound" one can reasonably question whether the claim is valid. You will know them by their fruits. I believe the teaching that God's gift of salvation places no demands on the believer to "walk in newness of life" in obedience to Him is false teaching. It's what Dietrich Bonhoeffer called cheap grace. You make a valid argument that Charles Ryrie and John MacArthur do have some differences of opinion. But then when have we ever seen theologians agree on all points of the Christian faith? Ryrie and MacArthur both agree on the Triunity and salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Beyond that, all else is secondary exposition anyway. By the way, I don't prize study Bibles the way some of my friends do. JVH of this Forum, whose postings now top out over 700, said in an e-mail to me recently, "It's amazing how much light the Scriptures shed on study Bibles!" --Hank |