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Ritajanice
Born-Again
Human faith is no faith at all.
Coming to faith is all the work of God via His Spirit.....
Commentary.
Saving faith is distinct from every works-righteous system because it isn’t the result of human effort. In the same way that repentance is granted by God (Acts 11:18; 2 Tim. 2:25), faith is also a supernatural gift of God. Ephesians 2:8–9 affirms this: “By grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Our response in salvation is faith, but even that is “not of [ourselves], it is the gift of God.” Faith is nothing that we do in our own power or by our own resources. In the first place, we do not have adequate power or resources. Moreover, God would not want us to rely on them even if we had them. Otherwise salvation would be in part by our own works, and we would have some ground to boast in ourselves. Paul’s emphasis in Ephesians 2:8 is that even faith does not come from us apart from God’s giving it. Human effort has nothing to do with it (cf.Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16), and thus no one should boast, as if he contributed any part.
Spiritually dead, we were helpless until God intervened to quicken us: “Even when we were dead in our transgressions, [God] made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)” (Ephesians 2:5). Faith is an integral part of the gift His grace bestowed on us.
Scripture consistently teaches that faith is not conjured up by the human will but is a sovereignly granted gift of God. Jesus said, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him” (John 6:44). And “No one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father” (John 6:65). Acts 3:16 speaks of “the faith which comes through Him.” Philippians 1:29 says, “To you it has been granted for Christ’s sake . . . to believe in Him.” And Peter wrote to fellow believers as “those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours” (2 Peter 1:1).
How do we know that faith is God’s gift? Left to ourselves, no one would ever believe: “There is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God” (Romans 3:11). “So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy” (Romans 9:16). God draws the sinner to Christ and gives the ability to believe. Without that divinely generated faith, one cannot understand and approach the Savior. “A natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised” (1 Corinthians 2:14). That is precisely why when Peter affirmed his faith in Christ as the Son of God, Jesus told him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 16:17). Faith is graciously given to believers by God himself.
As a divine gift, faith is neither transient nor impotent. It has an abiding quality that guarantees that it will endure to the end. The familiar words of Habakkuk 2:4, “The righteous will live by his faith” (cf. Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38), speak not of a momentary act of believing, but of a living, enduring trust in God. Hebrews 3:14 emphasizes the permanence of genuine faith. Its very durability is proof of its reality: “We have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end.” The faith God gives can never evaporate. And the work of salvation cannot ultimately be thwarted (cf. John 10:27–29). In Philippians 1:6 Paul wrote, “I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:8; Colossians 1:22–23).
For those reasons, saving faith is nothing like the fickleness of wavering human belief. It is as enduring and unchanging as the God who grants it.
Coming to faith is all the work of God via His Spirit.....
Commentary.
Saving faith is distinct from every works-righteous system because it isn’t the result of human effort. In the same way that repentance is granted by God (Acts 11:18; 2 Tim. 2:25), faith is also a supernatural gift of God. Ephesians 2:8–9 affirms this: “By grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Our response in salvation is faith, but even that is “not of [ourselves], it is the gift of God.” Faith is nothing that we do in our own power or by our own resources. In the first place, we do not have adequate power or resources. Moreover, God would not want us to rely on them even if we had them. Otherwise salvation would be in part by our own works, and we would have some ground to boast in ourselves. Paul’s emphasis in Ephesians 2:8 is that even faith does not come from us apart from God’s giving it. Human effort has nothing to do with it (cf.Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16), and thus no one should boast, as if he contributed any part.
Spiritually dead, we were helpless until God intervened to quicken us: “Even when we were dead in our transgressions, [God] made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)” (Ephesians 2:5). Faith is an integral part of the gift His grace bestowed on us.
Scripture consistently teaches that faith is not conjured up by the human will but is a sovereignly granted gift of God. Jesus said, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him” (John 6:44). And “No one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father” (John 6:65). Acts 3:16 speaks of “the faith which comes through Him.” Philippians 1:29 says, “To you it has been granted for Christ’s sake . . . to believe in Him.” And Peter wrote to fellow believers as “those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours” (2 Peter 1:1).
How do we know that faith is God’s gift? Left to ourselves, no one would ever believe: “There is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God” (Romans 3:11). “So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy” (Romans 9:16). God draws the sinner to Christ and gives the ability to believe. Without that divinely generated faith, one cannot understand and approach the Savior. “A natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised” (1 Corinthians 2:14). That is precisely why when Peter affirmed his faith in Christ as the Son of God, Jesus told him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 16:17). Faith is graciously given to believers by God himself.
As a divine gift, faith is neither transient nor impotent. It has an abiding quality that guarantees that it will endure to the end. The familiar words of Habakkuk 2:4, “The righteous will live by his faith” (cf. Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38), speak not of a momentary act of believing, but of a living, enduring trust in God. Hebrews 3:14 emphasizes the permanence of genuine faith. Its very durability is proof of its reality: “We have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end.” The faith God gives can never evaporate. And the work of salvation cannot ultimately be thwarted (cf. John 10:27–29). In Philippians 1:6 Paul wrote, “I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:8; Colossians 1:22–23).
For those reasons, saving faith is nothing like the fickleness of wavering human belief. It is as enduring and unchanging as the God who grants it.
You can't trust something that you have no knowledge of. The cross of Christ serves no purpose for you if you have no knowledge of it.
Act 2:38 And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Act 2:39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself."
Your commentary is completely full of Calvinism.
That teacher is a Deceiver.
Not my "opinion" and this stuff is going to keep you away from Truth, if you choose to continue with it, as you are NOT pre-destined to believe false Theology..but if you choose to.. then that is your free will.
So, let me show you this... and then i'll let you run around the forum again, posting Calvinism whereever you go next @Ritajanice .
1.) God Requires Faith in Christ.......
The verse says.
"As many As Believe in Jesus".........Not As many as God causes to Believe.
The verse says..
"All that BELIEVE in me, I give unto them Eternal life"......The verse does not say.>"All that God causes to have faith (believe),""
Consider that everyone, or perhaps nearly everyone, on this forum and other forums, believes he teaches God's Way. It is certainly my intention to do so. When these teachings appear contradictory to each other, is someone unknowingly teaching a lie? Is someone then a liar even without knowing it? [see Rom 3:4]
Could I at times also unknowingly be a liar in the eyes of God? Yes... although I do pray that God will move me closer to Him each day. Are we not to be growing in Him even as we are decreasing in ourselves? [see John 3:30].
To avoid "theological lies" or being that one..... just do this..
Hebrews 13:9
Philippians 3:17
And being deceived regarding.."water baptism is required for Salvation" is a LIE that many believe.
And they become a LIAR, when they TEACH that deception.
Ritajanice
Born-Again
Your human faith which you preach is phoney.
Your spirit does not know God, not until we have Born Of The Spirit .....we know God in our spirit...not as you preach, trusting God in your own human intellect.
We are Born Again, Spirit gives birth to spirit.
All that Believe are already Born Again..
Your doctrine is man made and I flee from it..but, will always point it out ,as it doesn’t come from the Living word of God.
Calvin taught well in that area, he was speaking Gods truth..,you do not, imo.
All you do imo is Glorify yourself...you voice your own opinion same as me and everyone else...there isn’t an ounce of truth in your words regarding faith..my opinion.
Do you actually know that Gods word is Alive in Spirit...personally, I don’t think you do...my opinion.
Faith from God is “ Alive and Active “...you just recite your own theology.
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It is not a deception that Jesus said, "whosoever believes and is baptized will be saved".
How is St. Steven doing?
Listen,
God requires that we Believe in Jesus..
If WE don't Believe, then WE are to blame... not God.
If WE do, then OUR = Faith...... your NT Says to You.......is Accepted by God.
Its really that simple....
So, as i told you, you are only here to teach Calvinism, and your following posts and Threads will prove it, again and again.
I guess you are the replacement for Brightframe., as you have his words and He has an addiction to TULIP and Calvin.
There is no muzzle on you, @Ritajanice .. and Calvin is happy about that.
Ritajanice
Born-Again
Wow, I dropped by and saw an anti-baptism thread. Seems to be that this topic should be just as "taboo" as the Trinity.
Ac 2:37–38 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Tt 3:4–7 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
1 Peter 3:18–21 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
If the point is that there is no "magic" in the water, I'd certainly agree. That is not the purpose of the baptism. From these verses, we can see that - upon baptism - we receive the Holy Spirit, the regeneration, and an appeal to God for a clean conscience. Three verses state this, and each taken separately can be confusing. That is because we see "baptism" as some magic act that accomplishes something by itself.
When the covenant on Mt. Sanai was made, Yahweh's instruction was for all males (in the patriarchal society) do be circumcised. This was the sign of agreement to the stipulations of Yahweh's covenant. Upon circumcision, the person was obligated to obey all that God commanded. If the person did not, without God's mercy, the covenant no longer existed for that purpose.
The New Covenant was different in many ways.
Ga 3:23–29 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.
Now that there are no divisions under the New Covenant, the sign of accepting our part in the New Covenant is baptism. When we are baptized, we agree to the stipulations of that covenant. The water isn't magic. Our obedience is what places us under the New Covenant, and that obedience results in our rebirth and the gift of the Holy Spirit. At least, despite our favorite positions on the doctrine, that is what scripture says.
Ac 2:37–38 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Tt 3:4–7 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
1 Peter 3:18–21 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
If the point is that there is no "magic" in the water, I'd certainly agree. That is not the purpose of the baptism. From these verses, we can see that - upon baptism - we receive the Holy Spirit, the regeneration, and an appeal to God for a clean conscience. Three verses state this, and each taken separately can be confusing. That is because we see "baptism" as some magic act that accomplishes something by itself.
When the covenant on Mt. Sanai was made, Yahweh's instruction was for all males (in the patriarchal society) do be circumcised. This was the sign of agreement to the stipulations of Yahweh's covenant. Upon circumcision, the person was obligated to obey all that God commanded. If the person did not, without God's mercy, the covenant no longer existed for that purpose.
The New Covenant was different in many ways.
Ga 3:23–29 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.
Now that there are no divisions under the New Covenant, the sign of accepting our part in the New Covenant is baptism. When we are baptized, we agree to the stipulations of that covenant. The water isn't magic. Our obedience is what places us under the New Covenant, and that obedience results in our rebirth and the gift of the Holy Spirit. At least, despite our favorite positions on the doctrine, that is what scripture says.
Ritajanice
Born-Again
I have said all I have to say regarding your man made doctrine...
It’s there for all to see....nothing further to discuss with you and please because we don’t agree with you, please don’t get personal by bringing members into the equation...very childish and immature.
Have a nice day..xx
| Heb 13:9 | Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. |
| Php 3:16 | Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. |
| Jer 10:23 | O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. |
| Joh 14:26 | But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. |
"strange Doctrine" - man made, that is not Paul's Specific Doctrine.
1.) Catholic
2.) Calvinism
3.) Mormon
4.) JW
5.) Islam
and so many more....
Let us 'MIND" the same thing.
"all of ONE MIND".. "The mind of Christ'.. the KNOWLEDGE of THE Truth... "as many as be perfect" by having the same union of Mind, Theologically, Spiritually.
Paul said.>"examine yourselves to make certain you are not caught up in some man's DECEPTION".. "Check your Faith "
JUDE says it this way..."CONTEND for the REAL Faith"..
Why?
Because there are "doctrines of devils" waiting to get your mind and turn you into their Cult Member.
Just ask the POPE about it.... or Mary Baker Eddy... or JOHN Calvin
The Holy Spirit does not guide their way, regarding the unbeliever, except to lead them to Jesus.
And "thy word is a lamp and a light", and that is a reference to the word of God, being Spiritual LIGHT< and this is connected to the Holy Spirit who leads us into all Truth.
Who is "ALL Truth"? = JOHN 14:6
That verse is interesting, as when Jesus spoke it, He had not died for all your sin yet.. on The Cross.
So, He's talking to the Apostles, specifically......regarding Acts 2:38.
YET< Jesus had already given the 11 Apostles the Holy Spirit, previously in : John 20:22
And now that we are in the "time of the Gentiles".. under a NEW Covenant.
God gives "Apostles, Pastors, Prophets, Evangelists, Teachers".. to you and me and all the Body Of Christ..
Why?
"For the PERFECTING of us ALL"... ="The Saints"
What would we do if someone were not here to designate for us those who are in error? Is there one that is not... in error that is?
Who should we trust to point out those that are in error and the One that is right? Just any man on this forum or any forum or even within any church group offline?
Really? And what of the sons of God?
| Ro 8:14 | For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. |
Yes, Jesus is all truth, but how far into Him are those who have only just met Him? What can a believer now see? When and how may he moved or be moved from through a glass darkly to face to face?
| 1co 13:12 | For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. |
So you are saying that the Comforter was not sent to all of us who were unable to direct our own steps as per Jeremiah 10:23? Hmmm? That is, if memory serves me correctly, what the Catholics teach and is one place I disagree with them.
Without the Holy Ghost how will we ever see his face clearly? How will we distinguish between correct teaching and incorrect teaching?
Yes, as per Eph 4:11 but without the Holy Spirit leading us how are we to know the difference between the true minister of God and the false one? How are we to know who is speaking the truth and who is in error?
Indeed, as per Eph 4:12
Eternally Grateful
Well-Known Member
Yet that is what Peter did.
He told everyone to repent.
But he only told individuals to be baptized.
You can not disregard this distinction. You must ask yourself why he did this? You also have to make the distinction that the gift of the spirit is based on the person repenting, NOT the person being baptized. ie, the person who is commanded to be baptized has already recieved the gift of the spirit because they repented.
Which means, they already received remission of sin.
Hence to interpret and let every one of you be baptized for or unto the remission of sin, should be translated that you are to be baptized BECAUSE you already received remission of sin. There is no other option
You missed the entire argument
At the preaching of Jonah used the word eis. the preaching of Jonah.
They did not repent so Jonah would teach they repented on account of the teaching of Jonah.
Dont harden your heart because you see the word because, which is HOTI, but that is not the phrase I used to prove my point.
lol.. You totally rejected my argument, My argument for using luke 17 was to argue that eis can only be used for something that will happen in the future. Hence your rebuttal is completely misplaced and in extreme error.
Actually yes he did, Nicodemus asked, "How can these things be" ( these things are being born again, born of water and spirit, born of flesh and spirit)
And Jesus told him how.As moses lifted the serpent, so to must the son of man be lifted up that whoever believe will not perish but has eternal life.
That is the definition of being born again, He who is dead in sin is made alive. and once this happens, they will never die, they will live forever (eternal life)
He who believes is not condemned,, Not he who believes and is water baptized..
He did not mention baptism once, so you can not use that as a means of being born again.
