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    There is salvation in no other, for there is not another name under heaven having been given among men, by which it behooves us to be saved."

Under Grace not Under Law

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The mods ok lol! Salvation is unconditional. What is the grace that saves? Unconditional election is in essence Gods grace that saves. The elect alone, by Gods grace and decree, come to Christ in faith. Why are we going in circles with the same silly questions?
God chose those who would come to his son before he created the world. He knew their names, put them in the Lambs book of life. The book of the saved that his only begotten son's blood would ink with the names of that grace filled shepherds sheep for eternity. We do not work to earn salvation. That is why his son had to die in order to fulfill the promise. The eternal covenant , the new covenant, that did away with the old law that spoke of working to cover sins. And with the blood of bullocks, sheep, doves, and other living things. Every sin, one more animal sacrifice.
Until the new testament was to be written. Because it was time. Because God's grace said it was time. And his gift of eternal life, which is eternal salvation in him, was given to the world. That last sacrifice on the altar. And all someone had to do, to "work" out in themselves in order to receive that FREE gift? Believe.

It doesn't get any simpler than that. And once we're reborn in Christ as a new creation, when the old dead in sin self has passed away, we're led by that indwelling holy spirit as we live our life guided by the spirits wisdom. It is a relationship you see. Built on trust, letting go, and listening. The more we listen to God's leading in all truth and holiness, the more we learn to walk in the light. Because the former darkness where we lived is dead to us.

When personal knowledge of the Salvation message fails , reach for independent sources. Not to pose to the repeat questioners because they are not involved in the discussion. But for the sake of those who may find this thread and hope to have an answer as to what eternal salvation means. And no dear reader, if you are there, you do not work to keep what God's own begotten son died to give you. Jesus , God's son, did all the work on the cross. All you have to do is believe, repent of your sins, accept Jesus as your savior from sin, be baptized so that you die to your old self and arise, as Jesus did from the tomb after his crucifixion, renewed. Reborn, regenerated and alive then in Jesus. Who is the head of your new church. Which church? Everybody who holds faith in the Jesus Christ as Lord.


Question: "What does it mean for salvation to be a gift from God?"

Answer:
The word gift is an important one in the Bible, and it is good that we understand its definition and implications.

In the New Testament, there are several Greek words translated “gift.” Some of these words are used in contexts other than God’s gift of salvation, such as the reciprocal gift-giving of celebrants (Revelation 11:10), the things received from fathers (Matthew 7:11), offerings to a ministry (Philippians 4:17), and the gifts of the magi (Matthew 2:11).

However, when it comes to the matter of our salvation, the New Testament writers use different Greek words—words that emphasize the gracious and absolutely free quality of the gift. Here are the two words most commonly used for the gift of salvation:

1) Dorea, meaning “a free gift.” This word lays particular stress on the gratuitous nature of the gift—it is something given above and beyond what is expected or deserved. Every New Testament occurrence of this word is related to a spiritual gift from God. It is what Jesus offers to the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:10). It is called the “free gift” in Romans 5:15. It is the “unspeakable [or indescribable] gift” in 2 Corinthians 9:15. This gracious gift is identified as the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:38; 8:30; and 11:17.

The adverb form of this word is dorean, translated “freely” in Matthew 10:8; 2 Corinthians 11:7; Revelation 21:6; 22:17. In Romans 3:24, immediately following God’s pronouncement of our guilt, we have this use of dorean: “Being justified FREELY by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” The gift of salvation is free, and the motive for the gift is nothing more than the grace of the Giver.

2) Charisma, meaning “a gift of grace.” This word is used to define salvation in Romans 5:15-16. Also, in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the GIFT [charisma] of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” This same word is used in conjunction with the gifts of the Spirit received after salvation (Romans 12:6; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6; 1 Peter 4:10).

Obviously, if something is a “gift of grace,” it cannot be earned. To work for something is to deserve it, and that would produce an obligation—a gift of debt, as it were. That is why works destroy grace (Romans 4:1-5; 11:5-6).

When presenting salvation, the New Testament writers carefully chose words that emphasize grace and freedom. As a result, the Bible could not be more clear—salvation is absolutely free, the true gift of God in Christ, and our only responsibility is to receive the gift by faith (John 1:12; 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9).

Recommended Resource: Faith Alone, The Doctrine of Justification: What the Reformers Taught...and Why It Still Matters by Thomas Schreiner
 
What's this, "we all sin"?
Speak for yourself lady.
ummm excuse ME LADY??? i think you need a biology class i am by far a lady.. and yes we do sin to him who KNOWS TO DO GOOD and dont is a SIN ..do you cross every T dot every I ? can you walk on water ? can you forgive sins? nope psstt you sin ..next time you decide to call me lady please look at the person holding the little Boy in my profile picture ..know who that is ? --------> me aka Ezra :wave2
 
Actually, truth isn't an attack. In a thread concerning salvation, one participant in this thread has said they are Arminian. Arminian theology is works based.
Of whom are you speaking?
Me?
I certainly am not a Calvinist.
As to being arminian, I most assuredly believe in that more than Calvinism.
I did attend a Nazarene church for over 10 years. Do you suppose they brainwashed me?
By whom were you brainwashed?

Could you please explain how we are NOT to work for God?
What did God save us FOR?
Ephesians 2:10

Is God not please with our good works?
Are we here to do bad works?
What is the problem??



Matthew 5:16 - Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

James 2:14-17 - What [doth it] profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

James 2:26 - For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Hebrews 13:16 - But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Colossians 3:23-24 - And whatsoever ye do, do [it] heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

James 2:18 - Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

John 6:28-29 - Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?

Galatians 6:9 - And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

James 4:17 - Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth [it] not, to him it is sin.

1 Corinthians 16:14 - Let all your things be done with charity.

Romans 2:6-10 - Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

 
Aw,don't cry.
Jesus loves you.
Please brother, peace be still. Isn't there enough sarcasm in the world already? Jesus loves you too. And Wondering. And me. We're family! In the greatest kingdom in the universe, headed by the greatest father we could hope for. One that never leaves his children. Not ever.
228124-Group-Hug.jpg
 
ummm excuse ME LADY??? i think you need a biology class i am by far a lady.. and yes we do sin to him who KNOWS TO DO GOOD and dont is a SIN ..do you cross every T dot every I ? can you walk on water ? can you forgive sins? nope psstt you sin ..next time you decide to call me lady please look at the person holding the little Boy in my profile picture ..know who that is ? --------> me aka Ezra :wave2
er... excuse me, but post #419 is to wondering
she was doing the talking
unless there is a foul up here
I don't think the Ezra I've always known here these past 5 years is a lady.
If it's my fault, then sorry for the mix up.
 
nope
Election Based on (fore)knowledge- God elected those whom He knew would of their own free will believe in Christ and persevere in the faith
Unlimited Atonement- In His atonement, Christ provided redemption for all mankind, making all mankind savable. Christ’s atonement becomes effective only in those who believe
Natural Ability- Man cannot save himself; the Holy Spirit must effect the new birth
Prevenient Grace- Preparatory work of the Holy Spirit enables the believer to respond to the gospel and cooperate with God in salvation
Conditional Perseverance- Believers have been empowered to live a victorious life, but they are capable of turning from grace and losing their salvation not going to post calvinism / reformed... many parts of it i reject .. i use to do a lot of posting in carm under arm/calv heading . i have had many discussions over free will. i have even done a email correspondence with a calvinist . we kept is respectful .i told him where and what i disagreed with. in the carm forum i have been called false teacher a heretic . straw man posting etc had many heated debates . even got suspended before.. so i am very familiar with calvinism but no its no more false than yours
It's nice Ezra, that you know what you're talking about.
I'm of arminian theology, but not completely.
I don't know of anyone who is wholly anything. Or very few, I should say.
There are some nuances in every church's doctrine that is not totally accepted by all members.

Plus, we should concentrate on what we share as believers.
Instead some wish to focus on works and why they're not good and why God requires absolutely nothing from us.

It's rather shocking, to tell you the truth.
 
Please brother, peace be still. Isn't there enough sarcasm in the world already? Jesus loves you too. And Wondering. And me. We're family! In the greatest kingdom in the universe, headed by the greatest father we could hope for. One that never leaves his children. Not ever.
228124-Group-Hug.jpg
You're funny.
You insult her in one post and love her in the next.
I guess now it's my turn, eh?
 
er... excuse me, but post #419 is to wondering
she was doing the talking
unless there is a foul up here
I don't think the Ezra I've always known here these past 5 years is a lady.
If it's my fault, then sorry for the mix up.
Prayerfully that will bring peace because I do agree and was going to post to Ezra that your remarks in 419 was to Wondering.

By the way, love your signature. However, the font color could cross all the eyes on a spider .Maybe something a little easier to read? Just a suggestion.
 
It isn't breaking the rules to recognize you're demonstrating a lack of knowledge of the synoptic gospels when you claim there will be no scriptures found wherein Jesus speaks of salvation directly.
Editing this just to be clear to the moderator reading. I have NEVER said Wondering is not a Christian. Nor do I imply such. It is odd that someone who insists on posting what Salvation is and is not then states what she did about Jesus never speaking about salvation directly. And I'm entitled to observe that as odd. IT doesn't say she's not a Christian in doing so. It simply says it is odd she challenges my posts about salvation and then states Jesus never spoke of Salvation directly. The synoptic Gospels prove that a false statement. And that is why I said it appears she's not familiar with them. Otherwise, why would someone familiar with them make a false statement about Jesus never teaching directly about salvation.
Thank you for understanding my purpose in this edit.


How it works is this, someone asks a question. The question is answered of the one asked.

That's a respectful dialog.
The disrespectful dialog works like this. Someone asks a question. The person asked answers. The former someone who asked the question asks the same question reworded, because they don't like the aforementioned truthful answer.
That's breaking the rules of proper decorum in a respect based discussion. Thinking to say Jesus did not directly speak of salvation is against the TOS here. In fact, it's rather odd anyone would make such a claim when it is called, CHRISTianity.
???
Instead of speaking to mods and telling me what I know and don't know

WHY DON'T YOU JUST ANSWER MY QUESTION.

Trying to bring attention....

Find me 5 verses where JESUS is directly speaking about being saved.

Just do it.
Or admit the 5 verses are not in the N.T. because JESUS never spoke about being saved except MAYBE 4 times or so.

Do it.
 
It isn't breaking the rules to recognize you're demonstrating a lack of knowledge of the synoptic gospels when you claim there will be no scriptures found wherein Jesus speaks of salvation directly.
Editing this just to be clear to the moderator reading. I have NEVER said Wondering is not a Christian. Nor do I imply such. It is odd that someone who insists on posting what Salvation is and is not then states what she did about Jesus never speaking about salvation directly. And I'm entitled to observe that as odd. IT doesn't say she's not a Christian in doing so. It simply says it is odd she challenges my posts about salvation and then states Jesus never spoke of Salvation directly. The synoptic Gospels prove that a false statement. And that is why I said it appears she's not familiar with them. Otherwise, why would someone familiar with them make a false statement about Jesus never teaching directly about salvation.
Thank you for understanding my purpose in this edit.


How it works is this, someone asks a question. The question is answered of the one asked.

That's a respectful dialog.
The disrespectful dialog works like this. Someone asks a question. The person asked answers. The former someone who asked the question asks the same question reworded, because they don't like the aforementioned truthful answer.
That's breaking the rules of proper decorum in a respect based discussion. Thinking to say Jesus did not directly speak of salvation is against the TOS here. In fact, it's rather odd anyone would make such a claim when it is called, CHRISTianity.
What claim did I make?
Now I'm making claims??

Just go find the 5 verses.
 
Never said we can act the way we want. Same assertions being said again. Reread the whole thread again please
Sir, I am NOT going to reread 22 pages worth of posts.
YOU will not agree that we are required by Jesus to do good works in His name.
I am responding to this.

All YOU have to do is agree with me that we are to live in a certain way while here on earth.
That we're to be a holy people, separate from the wants and sins of the world, that we are to do God's work because He does not come down here to us every day to do what has to be done, WE are here to be God's hands and feet - to go where we're needed and do what needs to be done.

I'm not saying we will never sin, please don't start with the being perfectly sinless game.

Do you agree to my second paragraph?
If so, I cease.
 
:amen:amen:amen:agreed yes i do know that is why i said our definition .. some think woman wearing dresses 24/7 men long sleeve shirts begging God to make us worthy . the cross took care of that Grace God Riches at Christ expense
Amen.
Yes. That's not works.
That's legalism.
Jesus hated the Pharisees.
 
???
Instead of speaking to mods and telling me what I know and don't know

WHY DON'T YOU JUST ANSWER MY QUESTION.

Trying to bring attention....

Find me 5 verses where JESUS is directly speaking about being saved.

Just do it.
Or admit the 5 verses are not in the N.T. because JESUS never spoke about being saved except MAYBE 4 times or so.

Do it.
Do it? :lol You did it for me. Here's what you said and why you fulfilled your own request. Highlighting to make the point. "JESUS never spoke about being saved except MAYBE 4 times or so." The "or so" makes it those five verses or so that you asked me to find. Further? Stating something was NEVER done, and then revoking that proclamation with, except, invalidates "Never".
Thanks.
 
ummm excuse ME LADY??? i think you need a biology class i am by far a lady.. and yes we do sin to him who KNOWS TO DO GOOD and dont is a SIN ..do you cross every T dot every I ? can you walk on water ? can you forgive sins? nope psstt you sin ..next time you decide to call me lady please look at the person holding the little Boy in my profile picture ..know who that is ? --------> me aka Ezra :wave2
He was talking to me Ezra.
He calls me Lady when he disagrees with me.
It's OK. I'm used to it. He really does like me I think.
 
I never insulted Wondering. I just think that this thread deserves better since it was reopened so as not to degenerate into flaming nonsense .

You've insulted Wondering many times, but who's counting?
Every thread deserves better.
Not just yours.
So YOU make it be better....
 
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