Quote:
Originally Posted by Truly Blessed
Of course one has to repent, but not in the sense that repentance becomes a work that we do. Repentance is a "change of mind" concerning self and sin, and is the direct result of the work of the Spirit. The very fact that Paul says salvation is "not as a result of works" but a gift in Ephesians 2:8[ESV] eliminates any perception that repentance or baptism is considered a "work" of the flesh. Rather it is a "response" of the flesh to the Spirit's work in the life of a believer. |
When Paul speaks about the earning work in
Eph 2:8 he is speaking about the Law of Moses and that not one Jew could earn their way to perfection in God, and therefore obtian salvation. In
Acts 2:37 those Jews were pricked in their hearts and were compelled to ask men and Brothers what shall we DO.
The "doing" is the by product of God moving upon the heart to bring conviction and the fruit is through obidience. When Paul writes in
Eph 2:8 he is reminding the reader that the Law minus Christ will never allow anyone to obtian salvation.
John the Baptist understood this all very well when he said..
Mat 3:7-9
"But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? BRING FORTH therefore FRUITS meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham."
John's warning to the physical Jews was that they needed to present the fruits of their repentance, and that they could not just say that they were saved because of race entitlement.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Truly Blessed
The difference between your mindset and mine, is that you believe I have to repent, have to be baptized, have to get the gift of the Holy Ghost
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TB, are you saying that an individual doesn't HAVE TO repent and be water baptized, and filled with the Holy Ghost? (didn't we go roudn and round last year, or was two years ago?)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Truly Blessed
and have to be holy. I believe I get to repent, get to be baptized, and get to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and get to be holy, all because of God's amazing grace! And it all began when I believed the Gospel.
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TB, what do you think about the Agnostic Carlton Pearson's doctrine?
In Jesus name
Brother Benincasa
www.OnTimeJournal.com