Paul was the ONLY learned of the Disciples. The others were common men, fishers and such. FACT.
Jesus is the ONLY way to salvation. It’s by Him people are saved. So I suppose you can KNOW who knows and follows another person? It’s Jesus who determines who is saved, not us. Not by reading a book, or attending church, or doing good works. We should NOT JUDGE, especially the eternal things.
I wonder why Jesus never taught on the 5 points. And why the Church was “lost” until the reform....Obviously it was not, it’s just that hypercalvinist reforms measure all things by the Reformation not the Resurrection.
There is nothing wrong with studying the things of God. What is wrong is somehow creating a special set of structure other than what scripture teaches.
This was done in Jesus’ day, in the Roman Catholic Church, and the Protestant Church today.
As I stated earlier, the Disciples DID NOT attend Seminary. They didn’t speak in “Religious” terms.
As far as a Muslim being saved, he must not continue to place his faith in Islam, and listen to the General Revelation. If the man never met a Christian, God would give him all the information he needs to be saved. However, it is the PRIVILEDGE of a Christian to share his faith with such a one. We are God’s ambassadors.
One last point: Just about all the true men of God have been called Heretics and put to death. By the “Church”.
God is not interested in the corruption we have made of religion. He is interested in us, our souls and our hearts, our worship and our repentance. He is not interested in our works, or our sacrifices. They are rags to a perfect God. It is by His grace we are allowed to contribute to the Kingdom.
Hmmmmm.....
Total Depravity...
Joh 5:39-40 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.
Luk_11:13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
Unconditional Election...
Joh 10:16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.
Joh_15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
Joh_9:41 Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, 'We see,' your guilt remains.
Joh 6:44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.
Joh 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.