Subject: Show in the Bible once saved always |
Bible Note: Brother Joe: I agree that the terms which you have mentioned may not appear in a word search. However, I think that the meaning of each can be found in the scriptures. Trinity: In the scriptures we read of the "Godhead" (Acts 17:29)(Romans 1:20)(Colossians 2:9) which we see in 3 persons: God the Father, God the son and God the Holy Spirit. An example of this is found in Matthew 3:16-17 When Jesus was baptised: the Spirit of God descended and rested upon Jesus, the father called out of heaven "this is my well beloved Son in whom I am well pleased". Susitutionary Atonement: This is just a fancy term for "he took my place". A coupe of scriptures which show us this truth include: a) 2 Corinthians 5:21 "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." b) 1 Peter 3:18 "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit" Joe in the first example we see that Christ was made sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God through him. In the second example, it is the Just for the Unjust. When Christ died on the cross he offered himself as a sacrifice unto to God on our behalf. God punished him in our stead. When we accept this fact by faith we are forgiven. Deity of Christ: This simply means he is God. There are many verses to support this: a) Hebrews 1:3 "Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high" "Who being" this term means who was, who is and who will always be. b) John 1:3 " In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. It is in this verse that we find that the Word is was God and the Word is God in fact he is the creator of all things. And yet we find in Verse 14 that "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." Here we find that the eternal Word is Christ. He was made flesh at his incarnation. See Philippians 2:5-11 Second Coming: Hebrews 9:28 "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation". We have his coming in 1 Cor. 15:51-53 and in 1 Thess. 4: "15-18. for those who are his. In 2 Peter 3:4 we find that "his coming" is referred to by mockers who say "Where is the promise of his coming?" His first coming was as the meek and lowly Jesus. When he comes again he will come in Power and glory. See 2 Thess. 1:7-10. Once saved always saved? Your original question. I believe that God's Word is true and that it can give us assurance that we are born again. In John 3:16 "that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" The words eternal and everlasting do not allow for the idea of something which is temporary. May God bless you Robert |