Biblical Argument or Private Interpretation?

[renee819]

Sorry to be so long in answering, but I've been really sick with sinus infection. And then last week my right hand started hurting, then my thumb and finger tips are now numb. Trying to use my left hand to type as much as I can.

Jason wrote,

Renee, this is no offense to you, but when oneness Pentecostals have asked me the same question you did "If we're saved in the same way as Abraham then why did Jesus have to die on the cross" makes me feel as if they don't truly understand the gospel if they have to even ask that question in the first place. That's not how I feel about you, but I am somewhat surprised you arrived at that conclusion.

Jason, I know what you mean. I feel the same way about people that say we are saved the same way as Abraham. Or saved by faith alone or grace alone. But that is a valid question, no matter who as it.

Jason wrote,

So if we could be saved by faith (this is what I mean when I say we are saved in the same way as Abraham) then why did God robe himself in flesh and die on the cross?

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I agree, “Salvation by grace through faith doesn't negate any of these things, in fact it is ONLY POSSIBLE because Christ came and died.” But look at who Paul is talking to,

Titus 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee

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These are not salvation messages. Paul is writing to tell Titus, how the Christians that had already been 'born again' should live. And reminding them of God's love. Salvation is ONLY POSSIBLE because Jesus came and died, and salvation is ONLY POSSIBLE by faith, but faith alone will not save any one.
All of the Letters were written to ''born again' people. Therefore Paul nor the others need not to go into the Salvation message. That is why that The Book of Acts is the only book in the Bible that tells us exactly how to be 'born again.'

No disrespect to what you wrote, these things are true, but you need to dig a little deeper.

Jason wrote,

1)Salvation by faith doesn't negate the sacrifice of Christ, it makes it necessary

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I ask again, How does it make it necessary, if we are saved the same way that Abraham was? Of course people have to have faith to be saved. But Jesus nor John did not teach that s the end of it. Jesus did not spend 40 days after His resurrection, teaching he Apostles, "all you have to do is believe." He gave them commandments of how to set up the Church, and about baptism in His name and the coming of the Holy Ghost.

Jason wrote

2)It reveals the ultimate grace, love, and mercy of God.

Of course it does. But did Jesus come and die, Just to show the world how much He loves them, and not leave a Plan of Salvation? Did He tell the Apostles, Just teach them, they are saved by faith alone?

On the Day of Pentecost did Peter tell those DEVOUT JEWS, when they asked how to be saved?
“OK, you Jews, I see your devotion, evidently you have faith, so you are already saved by faith, you don't have to do another thing, except get baptized in Jesus name.

Jason wrote,

3)The sacrifice of Christ is necessary so that the demands of God's justice are fulfilled. God righteously laid all of our sin upon Christ (from the sin of Adam, including the sins of Abraham, and yours and my sins) so that He could righteously judge and punish sin. Christ was made the propitiation for sin, substitionary sacrifice, and kinsman redeemer, and now because of that God can rightly justify the ungodly and sanctify them by imputing the righteousness of Christ to them

I know you don't believe it, but we are justified only after we have followed God's PLAN of Salvation. And then the sins of the PAST are forgiven.

The sacrifice of Christ was necessary, so that He could send the Holy Ghost down. And it is the Holy Ghost that regenerates man, places God's divine nature in Him and helps him to walk in “newness of life,” To become a “new Creation.” Abraham nor any of the OT saints could be 'BORN AGAIN.” Even David, a man after God's own heart could not be 'born again.'

Jason wrote

4)In coming Titus 2:14 says "He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing what is right."

Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Notice it says, redeem us. Now to these Christians that had already been redeemed he didn't have to go into detail. But are you saying, that all our sins are forgiven, past, present and future?

Jason wrote,

Salvation by grace through faith doesn't negate any of these things, in fact it is ONLY POSSIBLE because Christ came and died. I'd say based on the Biblical teaching one can both affirm justification by faith and the necessity of the coming of Christ. I'll admit to being baffled with oneness people throw that argument at me. It's as if they think Jesus Christ came so that people will speak in tongues

You know Jason, You could have said, " It's as if they think Jesus Christ came so that people will receive the Holy Ghost." And you would have had it right. Of course when people receive the Holy Ghost, THE BIBLE WAY, they do speak in other tongues. But to say it the way that you said it was to condemn those that speak in other tongues.

I'm going to start another Thread on the Holy Ghost.