Posted on 05/01/2011 7:24:18 AM PDT by Ethan Clive Osgoode
So you want me to admit the possibility that Jesus was not telling the truth in John 10:28? No way. I am sure you would not admit to the possibility of error in all of what you believe about Christ. IOW, you could be wrong about the resurrection?
It may be an alas to you, but hey, you are human.
Are you denying JESUS is THE WORD?
Because it is easier to throw rocks at people when they don't know which glass house you inhabit.
AMEN!!!!!
Are you serious???????
Here is my statement of faith.....
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=
Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone. It is the gift of God.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Calvinism vs Arminianism. Arguing over differences or whether babies should be baptized, being obsessed with finding out what others believe in nit picky issues to pass judgment on them as to whether they are *real* Christians, coming from Catholics of all people
*Oh, you believe this therefore you are a Nestorian, or whatever other label they decide to slap on you = being tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine....
The basics on which Calvinism and Arminianism are found are salvation by grace through faith in Christ, being a gift of God. Are there differences in some interpretations of Scripture on things outside of that fundamental truth? Sure. Are they critical to salvation? Show me somewhere in Scripture that it says they are.
Ephesians 4:11-16 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
It's about what the BIBLE teaches!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The BIBLE is the final authority, not a church.
You know, I don't agree with every last thing that the church I attend states in its statement of faith. They do not demand that I do, and I am still going to heaven.
Imagine that.
I've never hid nor lied about why I won't reveal my denominational affiliation.
It's not a matter of the truth *coming out*. It's always been out. I've made no secret about it, even with all the harassment and accusations of lying that I've had to put up with from those who are peeved that I won't play their games.
Dr. E knows just what I mean.
Nor am I an Arminian. My identity is not in my denomination, nor is it in the doctrinal positions of various men. It is IN CHRIST.
Calvin didn’t save me. Arminius didn’t save me. Christ did. I am HIS and His follower, not Calvin’s and Calvin’s follower nor Arminian’s and Arminian’s follower. I don’t agree with everything either of them teaches but I don’t disagree with everything they teach either, and guess what? I’m STILL saved.
1 Corinthians 1:11-15 For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name.
Well said.
That Scripture in 1 Cor. is particularly pertinent since if you don't want to be known as as a follower of Paul there are still a few posters who want to push you into that box with terms like “Paulinist or Paulian”, whatever and that is simply a way of dismissing all that you say.
If one’s faith isn't their own faith, what's the point of having it?
Galatians offers a great perspective. The people you are referring to are the "neo-judizers". The law has been redefined by their "Temple" elites and all must comply or they just don't fit in.
It's so similar to the Jews in the first century that became believers and then wanted all Gentile believers to become Jews and adhere to the law as well as believing in The Gospel.
Gal. 2:16 ...by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.
When Christians understand we are saved by Grace Alone through Faith Alone in Jesus Christ Alone the power of the neo-judizers melts away. When members of their own church read Scripture and they see this Truth they leave that church. The need for them to try and marginalize is obvious.
I like to think I do, and that we share that perspective. The point about being a Calvinist on our knees is a shorthand way of saying no one prays "Dear God, give me the free will to save myself from the terrible calamity that has befallen me."
Instead, more likely men pray "Dear God, please save me from this terrible calamity that has befallen me."
"Thy will; not mine."
Ultimately, day by day, we come to realize that God's will is always superior to our own will and that one way or another, God's will is what comes about.
That's just the way of the world. He's God. He gets what He wants.
A great read for the weekend that will enrich our lives and faith...
And ultimately, exactly as Metmom said, the only name that matters is "Christian" and the only faith that saves is given by God's grace to undeserving men who are brought to the foot of the cross by the free gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
What is our part in all this? Paul tells us quite clearly...
Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." -- 1 Thess. 5:16-18"Rejoice evermore.
Meant to ping you all to the great link in post 3,975.
Pink’s work does not leave men unchanged.
I can adhere to all the teachings of Calvin and think they’re right and that still wouldn’t be enough to save me.
Salvation is through Christ, not man.
If I happen to agree in some points with someone else’s doctrinal position, that happens.
Catholics seem to be singularly incapable of differentiating between putting your faith in God and man. It has been so ingrained into the Catholic mind that one must follow the pope, the IM, certain doctrinal positions, practice certain sacraments, that they cannot conceive of someone who does not follow man and man’s dictates for reaching God, or that those are all ineffective in obtaining salvation.
Salvation is about a relationship between fallen man and his forgiving Creator. It’s not do and don’t and rules and regulations. It’s about forgiveness and adoption into God’s family through faith based on God’s grace and mercy, not buying your way into it by works.
What's to confuse??? The scripture IS God's words...Some in the form of God speaking and others in the form of inspired words from God...But they are all the words of God...
Heb 4:12 For the (written) word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Joh 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my (written) words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
Psa 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy (written) word above all thy name.
There's something magical about those words in that book...Those words are Spiritual...Those words are God's words...
God even magnifies those words above His name...
If you ever figure out what you are dealing with, you'll gain a little more respect for what God said...
And yes, those words of God are the final and only authority...And why is that??? You read it...The words that were spoken (and ultimately written down) will be your future judge...You'd better get the words right...
When you're kneeling before God, He's not going to ask if you were a good boy; He's going to open the book and judge you out of the things written in that book...You betcha the bible is the final authority...
“The point about being’
The point being the difference in one’s idea of salvation. Is it institutionalized, The Church, or is it personalized, all individual believers of today, tomorrow and ages past.
If one believes that salvation is institutionalized and only found in “The Church” then the creeds or statements of faith of particular denominations or churches are important. If salvation is open to everyone who believes
(1Ti 4:10.....because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.)then it is the witness of one’s faith that is important.
A big AMEN to that...
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