Subject: Do we as men dictate the terms of Salv? |
Bible Note: Greetings Grace and Truth!! Let me ask you these questions: Q: What did Jesus cry out before He said,"Father into Thy hand I commend my spirit"(Luke 23:46, KJV)? A: "It is FINISHED"(John 19:30, KJV) "It is finished" comes from the Greek "teleo" From Strong's-- 5055 teleo [tel-eh'-o] 1) to bring to a close, to finish, to end 1a) passed, finished 2) to perform, execute, complete, fulfil, (so that the thing done corresponds to what has been said, the order, command etc.) 2a) with special reference to the subject matter, to carry out the contents of a command 2b) with reference also to the form, to do just as commanded, and generally involving the notion of time, TO PERFORM THE LAST ACT WHICH COMPLETES A PROCESS, TO ACCOMPLISH, FULFILL 3) to pay 3a) of tribute [emhases mine] ---- "It is finished" John 19:30 Q: What was completed, fulfilled, finished? A: Our salvation Q: What has God ever started that WE can complete? A: Nothing!! Q: Can aything we do ever make us righteous in God's eyes? A: NO Q: Does even the keeping of God's commands make us righteous in His eyes? A: NO Q: If someone repents, and accepts Jesus as his Saviour on their deathbed, without the chance to be baptized, are they saved? A: Yes(Matt 20:16 "So the last shall be first, and the first last." (NASB)) Q: Does God make different rules for salvation for different people? A: No. Q: Should we be baptized as the outward sign of our inward faith? A: Yes My friend, I do not mean to sound as if I think baptism is unimportant. It is a commandment from God, and we should seek to fulfill His commandments. But it is not the keeping of His commandments that gets us into heaven(Galatians 3:3--...Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?). For if we believe that keeping ONE of His commandments brings us salvation, then we must believe in(and strive for) keeping them all. Our salvation comes only by the shed blood of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. May the Grace of Our Lord be with you!! 2nds Samuel 22 |