The New Testament Doctrine of Grace

[Vince]

Different groups present different definitions and descriptions of grace, all of which support their own groups' beliefs. For this series, we'll start from scratch. Imagine that you have never heard of "grace." You have never learned any group's definition of grace. You have no definition to fight for.

We'll start with the dictionary, and then stay in the Bible ONLY as we learn the New Testament doctrine of grace.

 

[dan p]

Different groups present different definitions and descriptions of grace, all of which support their own groups' beliefs. For this series, we'll start from scratch. Imagine that you have never heard of "grace." You have never learned any group's definition of grace. You have no definition to fight for.

We'll start with the dictionary, and then stay in the Bible ONLY as we learn the New Testament doctrine of grace.

Hi Vince , and I have looked up the word Grace in Strong's and this is what I have seen .

#1 , Hardly any use of the word CHARIS , or grace in the Old Testament !

#2 , The same goes for the gospels of Matthew , Mark , Luke , John or Acts !

#3 , Paul is the ONLY Apostles that devolopes Grace and it Translated by 12 different word .

#4 , Peter talks about Prophesied grace in 1 Peter 1:10 !

#5 , Where Paul in Eoh 3:2-5 , is given the Dispensation of the Grace of God!!!

#6 , And v5 , which in other AGES was NOT made known unto the sons of men !!

#7 , And Acts 20:24 that he , Paul , recieved from the Lord Jesus , to earnesty testify the Gospel of the Grace of God , and that means that Paul is the Apostle of Grace , period !!!!

 

[Sinthesis]

Different groups present different definitions and descriptions of grace, all of which support their own groups' beliefs. For this series, we'll start from scratch. Imagine that you have never heard of "grace." You have never learned any group's definition of grace. You have no definition to fight for.

We'll start with the dictionary, and then stay in the Bible ONLY as we learn the New Testament doctrine of grace.

Hi Vince , and I have looked up the word Grace in Strong's and this is what I have seen .

#1 , Hardly any use of the word CHARIS , or grace in the Old Testament !

Surprised? I mean, how much of the Old Testament was written in Greek? Try Strong's in Hebrew.

 

[Vince]

Hey, Dan, welcome aboard! It's good to know that someone else knows how to do research. However, we're only doing the New Testament doctrine of grace in this thread. The Greek word "charis" is used for "grace" in every instance but one.

 

[Adullam]

Grace is power from heaven to walk in newness of life....divine life.

 

[mutzrein]

For starters, John 1:17 tells us, 'For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.'

 

[Vince]

The Greek word "charis," refers to "graciousness." It is used for kindness and favor. All of God's goodness is unmerited favor, including grace. "Charis" also serves as a root for words referring to kindness and charity. The word also has a connotation of gratitude.

It is twice translated "pleasure" in the KJV. Willing to show the Jews a pleasure, the Roman ruler twice plotted against Paul. It is occasionally translated "thank," as "I thank God."

Different groups give grace a definition that the dictionary does not give. They describe grace according to their group's belief, and then give that description as a definition. For this thread, I'll be using "grace" to mean "kindness."

 

[Vince]

Titus 2:11 "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,"

Grace TEACHES us that we are to live Godly lives These Godly lives are the result, not the cause, of salvation. If a person does not have a changed life, he is not really saved.

 

[Vince]

Going back to the second chapter of Titus, let's look at the next verse:

Titus 2:11-13 " For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,"

Without getting into arguments about the Rapture, the grace of God that brings salvation teaches us to look forward to the Return of Christ. 1 John 3:2-3 tells us "... we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."

One of God's goals for us is for us to become like Him. Looking forward to Jesus' Return purifies us.

 

[Vince]

1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Why do some Christians do a lot more than others? Why do some Christians succeed in various ministries, while others fail? Grace motivates us to serve God. It gives us the ability to keep going when things get rough (and they do).

Later in the series, we'll be discussing "How to get more grace." but for now, it is grace that enables a Christian to serve God successfully.

 

[chestertonrules]

Two passages which I believe are very important:

Titus 2:11
11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

Acts 15
6The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: "Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? 11No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."

 

[glorydaz]

Titus 2:11 "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,"

Grace TEACHES us that we are to live Godly lives These Godly lives are the result, not the cause, of salvation. If a person does not have a changed life, he is not really saved.

Exactly....It's Jesus Christ in us that enables us to live after the spirit instead of the flesh.
Man can try be righteous and follow a set of laws, but without the grace of God we can do nothing.

Grace takes on a whole new meaning in the New Testament because of Jesus.
He is God's grace manifest in our salvation and our very life in Him.

 

[glorydaz]

Two passages which I believe are very important:

Titus 2:11
11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

Acts 15
6The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: "Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? 11No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."

I agree...two very important verses.
God's grace is available to all men through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

[chestertonrules]

Exactly....It's Jesus Christ in us that enables us to live after the spirit instead of the flesh.
Man can try be righteous and follow a set of laws, but without the grace of God we can do nothing.

Grace takes on a whole new meaning in the New Testament because of Jesus.
He is God's grace manifest in our salvation and our very life in Him.

I agree.

We need God's grace to be saved.

The point that I was trying to make is that God's grace appears to ALL men, so it is our response to this grace that determines our eternal destiny.

 

[glorydaz]

Exactly....It's Jesus Christ in us that enables us to live after the spirit instead of the flesh.
Man can try be righteous and follow a set of laws, but without the grace of God we can do nothing.

Grace takes on a whole new meaning in the New Testament because of Jesus.
He is God's grace manifest in our salvation and our very life in Him.

I agree.

We need God's grace to be saved.

The point that I was trying to make is that God's grace appears to ALL men, so it is our response to this grace that determines our eternal destiny.

A very important point, too, brother.

Jesus' work on the cross opened the prison doors. By the grace of God through faith, we can walk freely into the presence of God. We need but turn to Jesus...

All men may now freely look upon Jesus and live. That is the grace of God.

And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.

 

[Vince]

Acts 11:21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord... When he [Barnabas]came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.

Successful soul-winning is the result of God's grace. We have already seen that the grace of God that brings salvation teaches us to deny worldliness. Here we see that a great number believed AND turned to the Lord. Using psychological tricks to get people to pray "Jesus please save me," with no repentance produces big numbers, but few genuine converts. When Barnabas arrived, he was able to see the grace of God. He was able to see large numbers of people living for the Lord.

 

[veteran]

So, we're only to deduce that God's act of Grace did not begin until our Lord Jesus Christ came and died on the cross? What a lop-sided view that is without including the many acts of God's Grace He showed in the Old Testament Books!

In the Hebrew, the word 'chen' (grace) also means 'graciousness'.

Gen 6:8
8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
(KJV)

What would have happened to the lineage Christ was to be born through, like Noah, if God had not show His Grace to Noah beforehand?

What about the Promise of Salvation God first revealed to Abraham, and our Lord Jesus said that Abraham saw His day? (John 8). How would all believers on Christ Jesus now be spiritual children of Abraham like Apostle Paul said, if Abraham had not found God's Grace back then?


Just like on other posts some here have made, I see that same old falsehood of Dispensationalism starting here too by failure to address God's Grace in ALL of His Word. I'm wondering when those same ones are going to start bringing up the lie that the Gospel of Grace only came through Apostle Paul and to the Gentiles!

 

[Vince]

When I was in college, I dismayed the teacher by stating that I did not believe in Scofield's Seven Dispensations. I have used it as a humorous illustration in teaching adult Sunday School classes.

I will tell how upset the teacher got, and then ask, "How many of you do not know what Scofield's Seven Dispensations are?" After everyone raises their hands, I announce "Well, keep reading your Bibles and you'll never find out."

 

[glorydaz]

So, we're only to deduce that God's act of Grace did not begin until our Lord Jesus Christ came and died on the cross? What a lop-sided view that is without including the many acts of God's Grace He showed in the Old Testament Books!

In the Hebrew, the word 'chen' (grace) also means 'graciousness'.

Gen 6:8
8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
(KJV)

What would have happened to the lineage Christ was to be born through, like Noah, if God had not show His Grace to Noah beforehand?

What about the Promise of Salvation God first revealed to Abraham, and our Lord Jesus said that Abraham saw His day? (John 8). How would all believers on Christ Jesus now be spiritual children of Abraham like Apostle Paul said, if Abraham had not found God's Grace back then?


Just like on other posts some here have made, I see that same old falsehood of Dispensationalism starting here too by failure to address God's Grace in ALL of His Word. I'm wondering when those same ones are going to start bringing up the lie that the Gospel of Grace only came through Apostle Paul and to the Gentiles!

God's grace was present before Christ, but with His death and resurrection it became even greater, as it included the finished work on the cross. It also brought the indwelling Holy Spirit with all the power He brings to walk in newness of life.

The Comforter is God's grace in all it's fulness...Christ in us.

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

 

[glorydaz]

When I was in college, I dismayed the teacher by sitting that I did not believe in Scofield's Seven Dispensations. I have used it as a humorous illustration in teaching adult Sunday School classes.

I will tell how upset the teacher got, and then ask, "How many of you do not know what Scofield's Seven Dispensations are?" After everyone raises their hands, I announce "Well, keep reading your Bibles and you'll never find out."

LOL If it isn't in the Book, it's not worth considering.