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  • Re: Salvation (Dustin B., October 5 2004, 4:41 PM)
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      Posted Oct 7, 2004 4:05 AM

      Dustin,

      Thanks for your kind response. I agree with you on the faith issue especially in the life of a Christian. Since it is possible for a Christian to “fall from grace” with Christ becoming ineffective in his life (Gal. 5:4) or to be diverted from the straight, narrow path, he is constantly admonished to live a life of love and service to his Master. And there are numerous passages that remind us to be fervent, to persevere and to remain faithful to the end so that the faithful ones will receive the crown, the promised eternal life in the end. As one has clearly stated, “It is a long road between the cross and the crown.” One key reference is for the Christian to “take heed lest he fall” (I Cor. 10:12).

      My personal feeling is that interdenominationalism does not paint the true and real picture of what the church, the body of Christ, really is. If the body of Christ is comprised of denominations, how is that possible when each denomination is a religious body in itself? The church or body of Christ is not a conglomerate of different religious bodies. If denominations comprise the one body of Christ, what gives a person the right to make exceptions or to accept some denominations and reject others as being members of that body? My understanding is that the body of Christ is comprised of INDIVIDUAL CHRISTIANS or DISCIPLES wherever they may be … … … … NOT RELIGIOUS BODIES with varying and contradicting sets of doctrines, beliefs and practices. [That’s just a side note, since it was brought up.]

      The discussion of salvation can really get very confusing without a thorough understanding of God’s scheme of redemption. [Remember the two little Greek words “eis” and “kai” to which I alluded in my earlier post?] I say “thorough” because Christians are responsible for making it clear to the lost as to what God’s plan of redemption really is. Otherwise, the repercussion is that if we “professed” Christians tell others [the would-be converts] the wrong plan, then, we will be held accountable for teaching error.

      All the wonderful references you quoted pertain to Christian living. This is the period in which our faith is to produce good works or works of righteousness, since the life of a Christian is that of service—he is a disciple and SERVANT of his Lord. I’m afraid, though, that often we fail to delineate a sinner’s previous life from the point at which that sinner becomes a Christian, who strives to remain faithful to the end of life on earth.

      Here’s my point, e.g.: Mr. John Sin, who was born in 1965, had lived a sinful life [robbery, immorality, atheism, etc.] until he became Mr. John Christian in 1990, 25 years later. By contrast, another individual, Mr. Peter Moral, who had done what appeared to be “works of righteousness” prior to his conversion, became Mr. Peter Christian 22 years later. In either case, regardless of how sinful or how good a person is, he is outside of Christ until by God’s grace he is redeemed from his past sins by the blood of the Lamb (please read Romans 3:25).

      The question is not about the cleansing power in the blood of the Lamb or the great suffering and sacrifice that our Savior made. The question is not about God’s abundant grace. The question is not about faith—which is obviously necessary before a sinner becomes a Christian. The BIG question in the CONVERSION PROCESS is—WHEN DOES THE REMISSION OF SINS TAKE PLACE? Does it occur BEFORE or AFTER repentance and baptism?

      It is not necessary for the unconverted to know the importance of the Greek words “eis” and “kai” in Acts 2:37,38. However, I have already stressed the point in my earlier post that it is really important in the evangelism effort to explain to the unconverted that Acts 2:38 truly means what it says.

      Romans 10:9-17 explains for the most part the steps in the conversion process;
      • The gospel is PREACHED
      • One HEARS the word of God
      • Hearer BELIEVES [HAS FAITH] in him of whom he has just heard
      • One who has faith CONFESSES the Lord Jesus toward salvation
      Acts 2:37,38; Acts 3:19 explain what the early disciples of Christ experienced during their conversion at Pentecost:
      • Peter PREACHED (Matt. 16:18-19; Acts 2:14)
      • They HEARD the risen Christ preached (2:30-31,37)
      • They were PRICKED [BELIEVED] in their heart (v. 37)
      • Must do what then? REPENT (2:38; 3:19)
      • Must do ALSO what? AND [kai] BE BAPTIZED or [BE CONVERTED]
      • Why? SO THAT [eis] YOUR SINS WILL BE REMITTED
      • And also Why? AND [kai] RECEIVE the Spirit’s gift [refreshing, clear conscience]
      The above passages clearly specify the design and purpose of immersion—that the remission of sins in the precious blood of Jesus DOES NOT OCCUR prior to immersion. There is no power in the water. Baptism by immersion is a physical act that symbolizes being BURIED WITH Christ, burying the past sinful life. And it also symbolizes being RESURRECTED WITH Christ in order to begin newness of life—the beginning of a new Christian life. There is not a single scripture that points to the notion that baptism is a “test of obedience” after-the-fact. Indeed, it is a condition, a step or a requirement that the unbeliever must follow IN ORDER TO have sins remitted or become a Christian.

      Baptism is described as “putting on Christ.” When one puts on Christ in baptism, he is then entitled to wear the name of Christ, thus, “Christian.” But NOT BEFORE baptism! Can this be any clearer picture: burying sins in baptism or putting on Christ in baptism? Therefore, the key solution to the key question of WHEN the unbeliever receives forgiveness and becomes a Christian is found in Acts 2:38. “Repent and [“kai”] be baptized for [“eis” or so that, to, toward, unto] the remission of sins and [“kai”] the receiving of God’s Spirit’s gift (or refreshing, clear conscience).”

      Donnie
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