I have provided you a biblical example of what the prophet Ezekiel described in the verse from the book of Jonah, yet you have not provided me one example of a man that was given eternal life by repenting from his sin. Nevertheless, God considers repenting from evil or turning from sins to be works according to Jonah 3:10. The Bible is clear we are not saved by works (Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5, Romans 4:5).
Would the words of the Savior suffice?
Luke 13:5
I tell you, nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
So, do you believe in the only begotten Son and the words of Life He gives us? Do you believe Him when He says, 'except you repent, you will likewise perish'?
How about more from the Savior?
Luke 24:47
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
This was said by the Savior after His death and resurrection. His disciples were to preach repentance and remission of sins to all. Perhaps you haven't looked into what 'remission' means. Here is what Strong's says it means -
- release from bondage or imprisonment
- forgiveness or pardon, of sins (letting them go as if they had never been committed), remission of the penalty
Repentance and remission of sins was preached before Jesus (by John the Baptist) and after Jesus' resurrection. Man can't escape the Savior's instructions for remission of his sins.
Oh, and I show you with scriptural comparison how the Bible doesn't contradict itself in this yet when the Bible says that calling upon the name of the Lord to be saved is what must happen for salvation, you don't believe him. You are the one that is really calling God a liar, because you don't believe this (Titus 1:2) and you don't believe this (Malachi 3:6) and you don't believe this (Romans 10:13, Genesis 4:26).
I believe the Savior Himself when He said to repent for the remission of sins, and to repent lest I perish.
Where did Jesus say to call on His name to be saved? Can you find where He said that, or do you want to add to what He actually said?
I can show where He said to eat His flesh and drink His blood. The Savior said those who drink His blood and eat His flesh have eternal life. And those who do not, have no life in them. So tell me how a man has eternal life just by calling on His name, without drinking His blood and eating His flesh?
I can also show you where the Savior said if we want to enter life, keep the commandments. Keeping His commandments is not calling on His name.
So I wonder, do the Savior's words of life have any significance with you? Do you think He had the words of Life? Do you think you can do it any other way than what the Savior Himself said?
If we are to take what you say as truth, being saved by the law contradicts this (Galatians 2:16) and this (Romans 3:19-20). Either you don't believe Paul's words (which breaks CF rules) or you don't believe the Bible is perfectly inerrant, which challenges the perfection of God (Psalm 18:30) because all scripture is God-inspired (2 Timothy 3:16).
Not believing what Jesus said is against Heaven's rules. Does that matter to you?
1.) If the verse says you must call upon the name of the Lord to be saved, then you must call upon the name of the Lord. When you call upon the name of the Lord, you do so out of faith (obviously) and place your trust in Christ alone, for he is the only way in to heaven (John 14:6).
2). Ezekiel didn't mention calling upon the name of the Lord... because Ezekiel is not talking about salvation here... duh! Otherwise, Ezekiel would be contradicting Christ's own words (John 3:16-18). "Repenting from sins" is not the same as "Believe on Christ," by the way, and I challenge you to prove that to me from the Bible.
How can they call on Him, if they don't believe Him?
Romans 10
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.
20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.
21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.
There is so much more than just calling upon His name. One has to believe Him, after hearing Him, before calling upon His name. Paul asks, hasn't Israel not heard (v. 18). He says yes, their sound went into all the earth and words unto the ends of the world.
Just because Israel heard didn't mean they called upon His name. In verse 21, God said to Israel, '
all day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.' God stretched out His hand all day long to Israel, but, as it says, they were disobedient and gainsaying.
So, calling upon the name of the Lord, comes with obedience. A man can't call upon the name of the Lord, and keep disobeying His words and think to be saved. Israel was the perfect example of this.
Paul himself says that Abraham was saved by faith in the book of Romans which is concrete proof that the OT saints were saved by faith through grace. James says that Abraham's faith was vindicated (proven true) by his works before men.
Paul argues that Abraham was justified before God by faith.
James argues that Abraham was justified before men by works.
So, how is it you separate faith and works? Does faith save a man without works? Do you not know faith without works is like a body without a soul - it is dead!
Obeying the gospel is the same as knowing Christ (2 Thessalonians 1:8) and you know Christ through faith (Philippians 3:8-10).
I don't know where you got this; I sure hope you didn't make this up, or believe another man who told you this.
Keeping His commandments is the same as knowing Him. If one says they know Him and does not keep His commandments is a liar according to John. Plus, there is no truth in a man who says he knows Him and does not keep His commandments.
It doesn't matter if the man believes, calls upon His name, or whatever comes from his mouth. Without keeping His commandments, there is no truth in him.
[/QUOTE]1. How was Abraham justified by faith if he knew not of the Lord Jesus Christ? Because Christ is the Lord God, and Abraham believed God, and when Abraham believed God, he believed Christ.[/QUOTE]
How did Abraham know Him if he didn't keep His commandments? Jesus said He will manifest Himself to those who keep His commandments. Did Abraham know any of God's commandments?
[/QUOTE]2. Romans 10:18 "But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world." Paul answers your question directly, they've heard. Romans 1:20-21 "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened." This scripture shows that from the creation of the world, the created have known about the power of God, yet did not know him through faith (because they did not obey him by believing him (Romans 10:14-16).[/QUOTE]
So, If Israel heard, how were they not saved? Perhaps you should do some OT reading and see what God said about disobedient Israel. Did you know God gave Israel a bill of divorcement? Do you wonder why?
