Quote:
Originally Posted by Jason Badejo
Renee I don't have a problem with Romans 8:11, nor will you find me in any of my nearly 4,000 posts arguing someone can be saved without the Spirit.
I would argue the Bible does not make a distinction between (genuine) believers and those who are born again, both terms refer to the same people. John 1:12 and Ephesians 1:13-14 equivocate genuine belief as the point of regeneration. Which Paul also teaches earlier in Romans chapter 4. Throughout the ministry of Jesus the emphasis was on belief not Spirit baptism. Jesus certainly spoke of the baptism of the Spirit, but never taught it as something we must "do". The "do" was to BELIEVE then the Spirit was to be a gift for all true believers (cf John 7:37-39).
This does not discard what God did with tongues in Acts or subsequently but does suggest that regeneration can be accomplished apart from speaking in tongues.
Furthermore tongues is never related to any passage explaining salvation in the NT. In particular Believers are told the EVIDENCE of rebirth is love for other believers, love for Christ and obedience to His commands, bearing the fruit of the Spirit, and ALL of the tests in 1 John for the genuine believer. None of which suggest (nor explicitly teach) that tongues is necessary for salvation/regeneration. |
Jason, You cite these scriptures focusing on genuine belief as the main point. When I read
Ephesians 1:13-14;
John 1:12;
John 7:37 and
Romans 8:11, I see both genuine belief and the importance and emphasis placed upon receiving the Spirit.
When I read,
Romans 5:5, "And hope maketh not ashamed; because
the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.", I know I am able, through the Spirit, to bring forth evidence of love for others, love for Christ, obedience to His commands, bear the fruit of the Spirit and ALL of the tests in
I John 1 as a genuine believer.
How do I know I can accomplish this? Because I have read and understand
Galatians 3:2-3 "This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?"
There is just as much evidence in scripture that genuine belief is as important and as much a focus, you can't begin to go anywhere without it, as the necessity of being Spirit filled.
I conclude that Believers and those who are born again are interchangeable terms as much as I believe Holy Ghost and Holy Spirit are speaking of one and the same. If I didn't believe that, I might as well head back to the Baptist Church.
Threaded Mode
