Re: Salvation—When Does It Begin, Continue and End?
(no login) Posted Oct 8, 2004 3:36 AM
The conversion process—God’s scheme of redemption—has been discussed for centuries. No consensus has been established, the main reason being that students of the Bible have varying views on whether or not the process is a one-time “done deal”—meaning: from here on to eternity … or something else. Whether salvation occurs prior to or after baptism is a colossal issue that has not been settled and will not be settled unless we honestly rely on the Holy Scripture for the answer. It is a major issue—and we should never undermine doctrines that are “salvation issues” [ah, you’ve heard that phrase before]. After all, “how to receive salvation” is the crux of the gospel—the good news of God’s grace and love made available to the entire humankind, including the “predestinated” selected few (as claimed, i.e.). The Holy Scripture has it settled, though, but man’s opinions have not. The open-minded reader will just have to make that judgment as to which interpretation is correct—one Bible … but varying, opposing, and confusing interpretations, all claiming to be correct.
The initial salvation received after following God’s requirements, including baptism, has been discussed in preceding posts. The forgiven sinner becomes a Christian at that point. To reiterate: there is a “starting point” from which the just-converted sinner begins his new Christian life. What must a Christian do from here on? The first of 3 segments below summarizes the conversion process discussed earlier. The other segments deal with the Christian journey and expectations in the end—the receiving of the reward.
TO THE UNCONVERTED: RECEIVING GOD’S GRACE THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST—REDEMPTION FROM PAST SINS (Rom. 3:25)—A FREE GIFT.
Acts 22: [16] And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
Romans 6:[3] Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? [4] Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. [5] For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: [6] Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. … [18] Being then made free from sin [AFTER BAPTISM], ye became the servants of righteousness.
Ephesians 2:[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.
TO THE CHRISTIAN: BEGINS NEWNESS OF LIFE AFTER BAPTISM—MUST REMAIN FAITHFUL TO THE END—IT IS A LONG JOURNEY.
Once the individual has changed his status (converted from) “SINNER” to “CHRISTIAN,” the Bible strongly suggests that the Christian is to maintain good works—that he must persevere to the end, maintaining that strong relationship with his Lord and Master that he is to serve. This truth does not negate the constant that we are still under God’s grace as Christians, and that we’re not being pessimistic, either, as we strive to fulfill our responsibilities as SERVANTS to obey His commands.
Ephesians 2:[10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
I John 2:[3,4] And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
Matt. 7:[21] Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
I John 2:[17] And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
James 2:[14] What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? [17] Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. [20] But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? [24] Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. [26] For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Titus 3:[8] This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
Luke 13:[24] Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
Phil. 2:[12] Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Hebrews 5:[8,9] Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.
Matt. 10:[22] And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Matt. 24:[13] But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mark 13:[13] And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Hebrews 12:[1] Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, [2] Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith….
TO THE FAITHFUL CHRISTIAN: WILL RECEIVE THE CROWN OF LIFE, EVERLASTING LIFE AS PROMISED.
Romans 2—“[5] … against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; [6] Who will render to every man according to his deeds: [7] To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life.”
I Timothy 6:[12] Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. … [19] Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
Titus 1:[2] In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
Titus 3:[7] That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
I John 2:[25] And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
Jude 1:[21] Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
John 6:[27] Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
James 1:[12] Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Hebrews 9:[15] And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
Heb. 10:[23,36] Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) … For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
Hebrews 4:[1] Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. … [9] There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. [10] For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. [11] Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
Rev. 2:[10] … Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
“BE THOU FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH, AND I WILL GIVE THEE A CROWN OF LIFE.”
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...........................THE BOOK
What Happened At the Madison Church of Christ?
There are thousands of churches being taken over across America.
This book is only about one of those churches. It's about the Madison
Church Of Christ. By studying the methods used here along with the resource
references you might be able to inoculate your church. At the very least
you will recognize the signs early on.
Many of the current members of the Madison Church of Christ still don't
know what happened.
Some never will know! This book is for them as well.
Madison Church of Christ was a 60 year old church. At one time it was
one of the largest churches in the US, and the largest Church of Christ.
It thrived for many years on the vision of it's elders and those of
it's ministers. Those visions undoubtably came from the the inspired word
of Jesus Christ.
At sometime in the last 10 years there was a deliberate plan by a majority
of the elders to take the Madison Church of Christ into a more worldly
realm.
They used secrecy, covert planning, and outside sources to scheme and
to change the format and direction of the Madison Church of Christ.
The Elders knew that the membership would never approve such a plan.
Using the tools of the "Community Church Movement"(consultants, books,
seminars, meetings,planters,seeders) they slowly started initiating change
so it was never noticed by the members until it was too late.....
At the heart of the plan was the fact that old members were going to
be driven off so new techniques could be used to go out and reach the unchurched
through new "Contemporary Holy Entertainment" methods developed by the
"Community Church Movement"
Old members had to be kept on board long enough to get their plans ready,
or the funds would not be there to pay for the new building. So by the
plans very nature, it had to be secret.
The church had no plan in effect to renew or approve elders. There was
never any need. The elders had always been "as approved by God". 10 of the last
15 elders would begin to shed some doubt on that.
The Elders did not even need a majority at first, because some of the
elders went along unwittingly.
This edition starts shortly after some of the members begin to smell
something strange in January 2001. Later editions may go back and fill
in some of the timeline.
To even start to understand whats happening here, you must read the
background materials in the first of the book.
This is only the first edition, and not the end. New editions will be
printed as needed. To keep abreast of current changes, please visit our
web site; http://www.concernedmembers.com/madison
Here is the list of players;
5 Godly Elders
10 Not so Godly Elders
120 "Deacons" (allegiance unknown)
2,800 - 4,000 church "members"
2 "teners" (people who have publicly confessed to have broken all ten
commandments)
Unknown number of "sinners" (This is what the 10 elders call us.)
Unknown number of "demons" (Flying everywhere, to many to count)