Posted on 05/13/2021 8:01:05 AM PDT by CharlesOConnell
All during Old Testament times, the way to God was through the Priest. The people brought their prayers to the temple along with a sacrifice and the priests presented their prayers to God. When Jesus died the veil of separation in the Temple was torn apart, signifying that the people would no longer need an intercessor on Earth. They could now approach God directly (Ephes. 3:12).
In the New Testament, only Jesus (Rom 8:34) and the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:26) are named as intercessors for us. None others are authorized. The notion of praying to Mary or others is uniquely catholic and has no Biblical support.
The same is true about praying for the dead. It comes out of the Catholic tradition of purgatory, where according to them all believers go to pay for their remaining sins upon death. It’s believed that the prayers and good works of their living loved ones can shorten their stay there. This is another non-Biblical tradition of the Catholic Church.
The single overriding purpose of our lives is to decide whether to allow the Lord’s death to pay for our sins or not. We have to decide for ourselves, no one can do it for us, and we have to do it while we’re still alive. Failing to decide is the same as rejecting it. At the instant of death, we’re either saved or not based on that one decision, and no effort by us or anyone we’ve left behind can alter it thereafter. Man was destined to die once and after that to face judgment (Hebr. 9:27).
15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, 16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.
If there was one verse that convey to the church(believers) this may be it.
Teletestai, For there is now no commendation to those who are in Christ Jesus, double jeopardy is forbidden.
RC says assurance of faith is false and discount the idea of real assurance of faith. Many P put too much emphasis on assurance of faith and will not admit there is false assurance. Can we agree on the above?
How do you know if you have false assurance of salvation or real assurance?
The Bible clearly shows there is both.
Please stick to the question. Can you know? Many are going to be fooled.
Why is it important that we know?
My major point is that RC blindly accepts that you can’t have assurance of salvation and P blindly accepts that you can have assurance of salvation just by believing ....................
WITHOUT THINKING ABOUT IT.
It is a very complex question, no easy answer which all want. But one that MUST be wrestled with.
Please remember, you and I can lie to our selves better than any one else.
Do you have no faith?
Faith only comes through Grace, it is a gift from the LORD, so no man can boast.
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