The truth of the gospel (and its’ related doctrines) MUST be simple … because
God has declared that His people are primarily simple, poor, humble, repentant folks!
None of God’s saving truths are revealed through intellect, education, reasoning, etc.
because this would go against what God has said about His people.
First, Jesus declares that we must be born again (from above, spiritually) …
… if we are to see the kingdom of God, i.e. be part of His kingdom here and in heaven.
God’s simple declaratives, such as John 3:16, simply say that …
whoever believes in Jesus should not perish but have everlasting life.
Let us assume that this is enough to cause the true believer to be born again, and
most Christians think this means the Holy Spirit has entered the person: John 14:16-17
“He (Father God) will give you another (of the same kind) Helper, that He may abide with you
forever — the Spirit of truth, whom the (unsaved) world cannot receive, because it neither
sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.”
And this “Helper” teaches the believer (through the Spirit): John 14:26, John 16:13-14
“… the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things …”
“… when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth;
for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears (from the Throne)
He will speak … He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.”
“Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His … But if the Spirit of Him
who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will
also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” (Romans 8:9-11)
But, the KEY to everything is …
“For as many as are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” (Romans 8:14)
Initially, God sanctified us (set us apart) … we were sealed (marked) as those
who were going to be “worked on”, i.e. sanctified by the precious Holy Spirit.
Yes, it’s a process, as in … “those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 2:11 and 10:14)
BUT … man has free will, and is fully able to reject this and refuse to co-operate!
BUT … those who are sanctified successfully will inherit eternal life!
Yes, those who are being led (i.e. those who are following) the precious Holy Spirit
will be taught what it is that the Lord requires of them, such as:
“Pursue holiness, without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14)
“… as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy” ” (1 Peter 1:15-16)
“… present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God,
which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1)
“… to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight,
if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not
moved away from the hope of the gospel” (Colossians 1:22-23)
“But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God,
you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life” (Romans 6:22)
“Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48)
“… that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle
or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:27)
“But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete” (James 1:4)
There are literally dozens of warning verses written to the churches … warnings
that they could lose eternal life … if they do wrong things instead of right things!
But, IMO, the main purpose for us having the Holy Spirit … is so He can lead us
through the sanctification process unto obedience, holiness, perfection, and eternal life!
.
The simple truth about God’s Plan for us to get to heaven
Discussion in 'Other Christian Denominations' started by evangelist-7, Apr 30, 2013.
Page 1 of 2
-
-
Amen! You are making some very good points. Sounds similar to the Baptist Confession of 1689 as penned by C.H. Spurgeon.
Romans 2:6-16 is a good example of the call to "persevere in doing good".
Matt 10 Christ insists that those who are born again "take up your cross and follow Me".
1Cor 6 Paul urges that the saints in the church "be not deceived" into think that living a life of sin - will ensure heaven for "such do NOT inherit the kingdom of heaven".
Jesus said in Matt 7 "by their fruit you shall know them" and in that case the good tree, the good fruit is the case of those who "hear My Words and DO them".
Romans 2:13-16 says "it is not the HEARERS of the Law that are JUST before God but the DOERS of the Law WILL BE justiFIED ... on the day when according to my GOSPEL God will judge all mankind"
in Christ,
Bob -
-
Wow - The seal (guarantee) of the Holy Spirit is pretty weak in your eyes, isn't it?
-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Spurgeon
Charles Haddon (C.H.) Spurgeon (19 June 1834 – 31 January 1892) was a British Particular Baptist preacher. Spurgeon remains highly influential among Christians of different denominations, among whom he is known as the "Prince of Preachers". He was a strong figure in the Reformed Baptist tradition, defending the Church in agreement with the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith understanding, and opposing the liberal and pragmatic theological tendencies in the Church of his day. -
So long as we walk by the Spirit - all is well.
"Sealed" does not mean "free will seared".
in Christ,
Bob -
-
As you know that I was raised in a Baptist church all my life and OSAS was grounded into me just as other doctrines that I have not studied out. I have come across several scriptures that puzzle me about this as you have posted several.
Again I have not truly searched this out to really debate it..but I will say that I see the New Covenant being between God and His Son. I believe this is part of the mystery that satan could not figure out.
I see Jesus representing both parties in this covenant. Jesus is called both the son of man and the Son of God in Scripture. The moment Jesus was crucified, the blood of the covenant was spilled. Only God or Jesus can break this blood covenant! This covenant is a faith covenant on our part! Faith in what Christ paid for on the cross! We can not do anything to enter into that covenant other than faith in HIM!
This covenant is pictured in the Abraham covenant where only God made the covenant and Abraham rested in God's promise! -
He could have chosen any model He wished - He just so happen to pick the one we see in scripture as "whosoever will".
"Come unto Me all that are weary and heavy ladened" in Matt 11 was the invitation He gave.
Because of that Paul places a lot of emphasis on commanding the saints to "persevere firm until the end".
In Romans 11 Paul goes so far as to say "you should fear - for you stand only by your faith. If He did not spare them - neither will He spare you... He is able to graft them in again IF they do not continue in unbelief".
In Matt 18 Christ explains the principle of "forgiveness revoked".
in Christ,
Bob -
-
Originally Posted by BobRyan
Amen! You are making some very good points. Sounds similar to the Baptist Confession of 1689 as affirmed by C.H. Spurgeon.
Matt 10 Christ insists that those who are born again "take up your cross and follow Me".
1Cor 6 Paul urges that the saints in the church "be not deceived" into think that living a life of sin - will ensure heaven for "such do NOT inherit the kingdom of heaven".
Jesus said in Matt 7 "by their fruit you shall know them" and in that case the good tree, the good fruit is the case of those who "hear My Words and DO them".
Romans 2:13-16 says "it is not the HEARERS of the Law that are JUST before God but the DOERS of the Law WILL BE justiFIED ... on the day when according to my GOSPEL God will judge all mankind"
Bob -
-
In St. John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and i will raise him up at the last day. When Christ said no man CAN come he was saying man has not the power nor the ability to come. He didn't say no man may come but no man can come (inability). UNLESS. thank God for the unless. Unless the Father which sent me draw him. This is where the sovereignty of God comes in. Unless he draws by his Spirit, which is free to draw or not to draw. The Spirit bloweth where it listeth. When Moses set up the firy serpant on a pole the people that had been bitten looked and lived. Those that had not been bitten had no desire to look.
-
In John 6 Christ said that no one comes to Him unless they are drawn to him. (Just now see that you already got to that one. Nice!)
In John 12:32 "I will draw ALL unto Me".
But as Matt 12 points out - some choose to harden their heart against the work of the Holy Spirit.
in Christ,
Bob -
Do you think we work to either get saved, or kept saved by God? -
-
-
-
-
what happened to God's "chosen people" who were disobedient
... God left them scattered all over the desert floor!
And he kept referencing this as an example for us!
Oh, OSAS, isn't it wonderful ... no, glorious is a better word!
Actually, here are some of my favorites ... they apply to EVERYONE who is a habitual sinner!
“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived.
Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves,
nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)
“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry,
sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you
in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21)
“But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;
neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater,
has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words,
for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.” (Ephesians 5:3-6)
“He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.
But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars
shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:7-8)
“Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life,
and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually
immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.” (Revelation 22:14-15)
.
Page 1 of 2