Servetus wrote,
Quote:
|
It is the faith that saves. Saving faith is obedient faith. But what is the point of salvation/regeneration? Was Noah saved BECAUSE he built the ark or did Noah build the ark because he was a man who already had a right relationship with God because of his faith? Same with Abraham and Moses and all of us. This is the point of James 2, living (saving) faith is never alone
|
.
When a person uses the word, “saves” or “saved” it is important to know what they are talking about. I usually use “born again” as the salvation/regeneration experience. It takes faith in God to be born again. And only since the cross can people be born again. Noah and Abraham, could not be born again. And after being born again, we are constantly growing in grace, as we thru faith, preform acts of love.
Servetus wrote,
Quote:
|
Now you made the comment that people who don't want to give their lives completely to Jesus use the argument "were not saved by works", it really doesn't matter who makes the argument the question is "is it biblical?" Of course there are those carnal unregenerate people who use that argument to excuse their lack of fruit, that's why I mentioned James 2 and the tests of saving faith in 1 John. But would you say everyone who takes that stance doesn't want to give their lives to Jesus?
|
No of course not. But usually people that say that, are not truly born again, (at least the ones that I have talked to) believe that faith saves them and that to obey
Acts 2:38 is 'works.” and believing that Jesus did it all, there is nothing for them to do.
Servetus wrote,
Quote:
|
Now the original point I was refuting was the sinner must first make themselves a holy and acceptable sacrifice to God BEFORE He will save them (by giving them the Holy Ghost). Do you believe that to be true? If you do then explain how that is not working for salvation and in exactly what sense the Holy Ghost is a gift if there are certain things we have to do to make ourselves acceptable to God (even holy) in order to "get it". And when you're done explaining that, tell me how an unregenerate sinner can ever make themselves holy and acceptable without the Spirit
|
The sinner can not make themselves holy before they receive the Holy Ghost. No one can live a holy and righteous life, without the Holy Ghost, because they do not yet, have the “divine nature” inside of them.
There are millions of people that have repented, and want to live for God. And that makes them
BELIEVERS. But these
BELIEVERS, need to be baptized in Jesus name and receive the Holy Ghost, as
BELIEVERS in
Acts 8 and 19 did.
Many men do works of righteousness, good works, to prove to themselves and others, that they are good. But if you could see their lives, then you could know that they are not righteous.
Not that anyone is 'righteous' before God, but after being born again, we must 'grow in grace.' however, millions are being taught wrong.