Posted on 10/03/2018 7:21:05 AM PDT by SoFloFreeper
“So the letter to the Hebrews written then is still of great value in reaching out to Jews today, not in dealing with local Gentile church problems.”
Local Gentile church problems? Problems like believing faith without works is dead? After all, that was James who said that...but then, he agreed with Paul’s same belief that claiming faith while living immorally is worthless.
The idea that someone who had once believed in Christ but then publicly rejects Him is in ‘heep big trouble’ is hardly a Jewish/Gentile issue, nor is it something that only concerns Jewish believers. God’s teaching is consistent, in both the Old and New Testament. There is one God. Not a Jewish God and a Christian God. Not a Jewish way of salvation and a Christian one.
One way.
Pity you choose to toss out Hebrews as uncomfortable. I suggest learning from it instead, since it is consistent with the rest of the New Testament - and Old.
You say a lot of good stuff on this forum and you have my respect. Your comments here, though, misrepresent the Reformation.
There are two parts here:
1) I misrepresent the Reformation
2) Sola scriptura denies 1500 years of living Christianity
As far as #1 goes - I think the Reformation (I was raised Dutch Reformed) has been falsified, in our lifetimes, by the apostasy of all the organized “mainline” churches.
As far as #2 goes - how can you deny the millions of souls called to Christ before people in general had ready access to the scriptures?h
1: you may or may not be right about what mainline churches have done. I think on the whole you’re right. This doesn’t address my assertion about your representation.
2: AFAIK, Sola Scriptura teaches salvation is found only in Scripture and that church tradition, teaching, creeds, etc. are only credible insofar as they adhere to Scripture No requirement of literacy is made though obviously that helps.
Have a good day
It may also be a structure within which people can reach God.
Some people are more comfortable with a structure. Chaos is not always to be applauded.
Jer 31:33 “But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day,” says the LORD. “I will put My instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be My people.
Heb 8:10 But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day, says the LORD: I will put My laws in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be My people.
The new covenant is a direct relationship with God thru his Holy Spirit The old was done away with.
Now regarding that “structure”. God destroyed the Temple, the sacrificial system and the priestly system. Why?, Because people focused on the structure, not Him. The new covenant is a relationship through the Holy Spirit. He is a Jealous God.
Now who defines the relationship? Yes, Jesus is going to send many away because He doesn’t know them. But they think they know Jesus.
But there are some that Jesus does know, his sheep. His sheep hear his voice. Now how are you going to hear his voice? Get your Bibles out folks. The Holy Spirit points to Jesus (the Word) and Jesus always points to the Father.
Rev 3:6 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit...……………………...
Now regarding the “chaos” It may look that way to you and I but that God doing his will...……………..
That's not "heresy", it's GOOFY! Nobody preaches that. Whoever said it to you is flat out wrong and has a good amount of anti-Protestant/any-Christian-who-isn't-a-Catholic bigotry, to boot!
EXACTLY! Some people think that they must do good works as well as believe on Jesus Christ in order to merit heaven. They will quote verses that sound like Jesus is telling people that they will be judged by their works and how good they are determines if they are saved or go to hell. What they keep forgetting (or don't realize) is that God DOES see our hearts - He can't be gamed (like you said). Someone can be the nicest most pious and holy person you have ever seen and everyone raises up that person as an example of a "saint", but he could be a fraud, an unbeliever who looks all clean and white on the outside but inside he is full of dead men's bones. Not even a single good deed can save us. It is ALL by His grace.
Man looks on the outward appearance, God looks upon the heart! He isn't fooled by fake faith.
Sometimes humans have a real problem discerning this, and especially about themselves if they are not.
And Roman Catholics don't go out and sin and then head for confession???
Your argument fails on this point....you presume all "protestants" are conducting their lives in the manner you describe.
To happily, knowingly carry on with sinfulness - especially blatant, obvious, horrible sin - is extremely disrespectful to God.
Hey, we've got Roman Catholics on these forums tossing profanities around like they're candy and then try to make excuses for doing so. Some even type out "My God..." or "SOB" and think nothing of it.
I truly appreciate the Protestant idea that it’s “grace” alone, God’s will to reward faith only.
Actually, it's His idea. Ephesians 2:8-9 confirms that.
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