Is your faith your own? - Is "the Faith" prescribed by a human institution?

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Brakelite

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But...

... all Israel will be saved. - Romans 11:26

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But not all are of Israel.

“6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: 7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. 8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. 9 For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son. 10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac...
; 27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: 28 For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. 29 And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha. ”
Romans 9:6-10, 27-29 KJV
 
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Brakelite

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Who really knows God completely anyway?
No finite mind can comprehend the infinite, that is true. Which means there are no limits to the growth in understanding that it's possible through revelation in God's word and Providence.
It is God's will that we understand Who He is and how He operates toward mankind. For example, Paul was speaking under inspiration when he wrote the following, so this is God speaking His promises to us....

“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; ”
Colossians 1:9 KJV

“15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. ”
Ephesians 1:15-23 KJV

“14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. ”
Ephesians 3:14-21 KJV

“11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. ”
Ephesians 4:11-16 KJV

What is the holy Spirit telling us concerning the extent of understanding and knowledge we may have of God through Christ? Should we be content with a mere superficial understanding of God and Who He is? There are of course certain things at this time we will never know. But what He has revealed of Himself, of absolutely for us to understand and know, for it is in growing that we avoid stagnation, death, and ruin. There is to be no standing still in Christianity. We are called to growth. We are called to mature, "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ".
 

Brakelite

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Which means it cannot be a requirement when we for salvation, correct?

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It is when we start playing with what God has revealed of Himself, create doctrines that not only contradict such revelation, but misrepresent God's character that it most definitely becomes a salvation issue. Eternal life is exactly what Jesus said it was. Knowing God and Jesus Christ Whom He sent. We can't change that to mean knowing a little about Him to get by.
 
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St. SteVen

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Knowing God and Jesus Christ Whom He sent. We can't change that to mean knowing a little about Him to get by.
I would say that means knowing Him in a RELATIONSHIP, not knowing ABOUT Him intellectually. (theologically)
Again, the faith of a little child is enough.

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soberxp

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Is your faith your own? -
No,my faith and I with the Holy spirit.

Is "the Faith" prescribed by a human institution?

No, I hate the need for human agency certification, which only comes from the word of God.
 
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Brakelite

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I would say that means knowing Him in a RELATIONSHIP, not knowing ABOUT Him intellectually. (theologically)
Again, the faith of a little child is enough.

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I agree, it's absolutely relational. But surely, if that person with whom you have that relationship is worthy of your friendship and love, you will want to know all you can about Him?
Jesus said the faith of a little child was essential. By saying 'enough' it seems you want everything God has to offer , but you are only willing to do the bare minimum to receive it but no more? Not saying that's you specifically, just that is what it sounds like.
 

St. SteVen

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I agree, it's absolutely relational. But surely, if that person with whom you have that relationship is worthy of your friendship and love, you will want to know all you can about Him?
Jesus said the faith of a little child was essential. By saying 'enough' it seems you want everything God has to offer , but you are only willing to do the bare minimum to receive it but no more? Not saying that's you specifically, just that is what it sounds like.
Like human relationships, the knowing comes from a continued relationship.

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Brakelite

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Seems debatable. Is Israel Israel?

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One can claim to be a part of Israel, but based on what? The name Israel was given to Jacob because of a change of heart. He had revealed to the Angel that he was no longer the deceiving sly person he once was that had taken the blessing by stealth, but was now worthy of the name Israel, the overcomer. Not all who claim the name have truly overcome. The declaration, I never knew, was to those who were nominal Christians, even to the point of worshipping, calling Jesus Lord, and working miracles. But those things weren't the criteria Jesus was looking for. The difference? Obedience.
 

St. SteVen

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The declaration, I never knew, was to those who were nominal Christians, even to the point of worshipping, calling Jesus Lord, and working miracles. But those things weren't the criteria Jesus was looking for. The difference? Obedience.
Perhaps you should rethink this?
- Nominal Christians = worshiping, calling Jesus Lord, and working miracles ???
- The declaration, "I never knew you" = A lack of obedience ???

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Brakelite

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Perhaps you should rethink this?
- Nominal Christians = worshiping, calling Jesus Lord, and working miracles ???
- The declaration, "I never knew you" = A lack of obedience ???

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Exactly.
“21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. ”
Matthew 7:21-23 KJV
 
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