Subject: Mark 16:16 what does it say? |
Bible Note: You wrote: 'If we go only with Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace you have been saved" then the above scriptures would contradict because they show that works are needed.' Interesting that you mention Ephesians 2:8 alone, since it is the next verse that says ""not of works." Then the following verse says that we are God's workmanship FOR good works, not BY good works. Taking the whole paragraph makes everything crystal clear. It also makes it coincide perfectly with Romans 4 and James 2 fits perfectly into the "Ephsians 2:8-10" mix when understanding that the faith by which we are saved will be supplemented by good works which bear evidence that our faith is genuine. This sentence puzzles me: "Not works as doing good deeds but obedient works that submit to the gospel." So submitting to the gospel is not a good work? Of course it is. Are there any truly good works that do not involve submitting oneself to God's law? Name me one if one exists. You are trying to make a distinction here that does not exist. Lastly, you wrote: "But to do that we must answer,we must submit in the obedience to the faith by being baptized for remission of sins." How does a person still "according to the flesh" submit himself to God's commandments? Romans 8:6-8 tells us that it is impossible for the unregenerate to do ANYTHING that pleases God. Until we are saved, we are God's enemies and CANNOT submit. So either Romans 8 is wrong and the person can please God and sumbit to Him before they are saved, or people who voluntarily submit to baptism are already saved, or the conversion is a spurious one. Which one describes your experience? --Joe! |