Subject: need for a bible-anyone |
Bible Note: Hello Steve: You wrote: It seems to me this idea has two fatal flaws. First, it negates the many instances where the Bible says that all who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved (e.g. Joel 2:32, Acts 2:21, Romans 10:13). This simple, unqualified statement is beautifully illustrated by the thief on the cross. The problem with that is the thief on the cross was still under the old covenant. The new covenant did not take effect until after the death of Christ (Heb 9:15-17). Yet Peter did not stop there at Acts 2:21, he continued to preach and teach what they needed to do. If belief was all that was necessary, why continue on? Why do the people ask what they ask in Acts 2:37? Why didn't Peter simply say, believe? You wrote: But there too many counter-examples to claim that the two are invariably linked. Do you believe the Bible is inconsistent? Do you not look to see how they are threaded together? God wrote all we have in Scripture through inspired men. Psalm 119:160; 2 Tim 3:16-17 Psalms 119:160 says "the sum": the total, it all adds up. You wrote: No legalisms, no performance, no law, none of our own effort, nor the effort of anyone doing baptisms - only his. I do agree, nothing we do on OUR OWN merits salvation. However, there are works we must do: James 2:14,17-26; Matthew 3:8; John 15:8, etc. Mouse2 |