Subject: need for a bible-anyone |
Bible Note: Hello Justme, I will try to answer with grace and love as I have been instructed by the Lockman Foundation. It seems my answers that I give directly from the bible have offended someone and I have been put on notice. You wrote:I have no problem with baptism being proof of the fact you have repented and are now saved. In fact when ever someone refuses to, then that is evidence that salvation has not really happened. Would we be together so far? I sense that you have a very open mind and are truley wanting to learn about what I am speaking. Lets look at Acts 2:38. I know tired old Acts 2:38. But since its in the bible we have to address it. Acts 2 38Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. After reading this one must keep in mind the question from Acts 2:37. "What must we do to be saved?" Remember it says that these men that Peter preached to were "devout men, from every nation under heaven." Acts 2:5 And after being preached to "they were cut to the heart". Acts 2:37 They belived! They had faith! They knew Jesus was the Christ, but still they ask "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" And Peter told them. The "for" in the verse is the pivitol point in the verse where many jump ship. They were told to "do" something to receive something. For the remission of sins. Its the same way everyday of our lives, we work for pay for example. We don't get paid if we don't work. So I would have to say that we are not in agreement yet. You see baptism is not done because a person has been saved, its done to be saved. You wrote:The only issue I question is the final judge is of course is Jesus Christ. Right? Yes, we agree. You wrote:However I am willing to share Christ with some one who is quite near death and let the Lord make the judgement call on if that person is welcome or is to be departed to eternal punishment. A person has their entire life to obey the gospel. Jesus has set forth in his commands how we are to contact that saving grace. If we refuse to do that, He will refuse us. I was told a story about a man that was drowning and a man cast him a rope but the man refused to grab it. The people ask why did he drown? The man answered because he wouldn't grab the rope. Wrong, he would have drown even if there were no rope. Its the same way with sin, people are in sin and they gospel has to accepted. You wrote:I personally allow God to show mercy to whomever He so desires. God shows His grace and mercy to every one who opens up and reads the bible. The bible itself is the grace of God. 2 Peter 3 9The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us,[1] not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. I hope this has helped :). Raven |