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What is grace?
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Douglas Brian McIntire
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That is what you have been taught by others and not by Jesus or the writers of the New Testament and Bible. Paul wrote the Colossian telling them to make sure they don't follow anything other than what Jesus taught. All the Apostles taught this precept whereas only Jesus is God's wisdom for us. If you want to know the truth, Learn from what the writers of the gospels wrote about Jesus' teachings, then finding God's grace. If you don't do this, you are only following liars who distort the Word of God.
God's grace: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
If you follow John Calvin, you don't follow Jesus and His disciples (Apostles) but others who are "Blinded by the god of this world." No understanding comes through a person today as if God needs help, but God does lead people to Jesus. If you cannot believe Acts 3:22-24, Acts 10:34-45, Acts 17:24-31, Genesis 3:22 (God's Grace), you will never be able accept the words of Jesus Christ because faith comes through hearing the Word of God spoken through Jesus.
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Clare73
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Feel free to address the following from said sources:
Actually, it begins with unmerited rebirth by the sovereign decision of the Holy Spirit (Jn 3:7-8), proceeds to the unmerited gift of faith (Php 1:29, Ac 13:48, Ac 18:27, 2 Pe 1:1, Ro 12:3) and unmerited salvation (Eph 2:8-9).
Was he an apostle?
Does believing the word of the Scriptures above count?
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Douglas Brian McIntire
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You calling Jesus a liar?
Sounds like merit to me, unless a person wont accept the words of Jesus Christ...
Two types of people
Type 1...
24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.Type 2...
26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper,[f] to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be[g] in you.18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.
Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest
25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
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This is the Great grace, the one completely incomprehensible grace; God gave himself to save his creature, human kind.
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Grace, in the context of "GOD's Grace".
Is the Cross of Christ.
Everything we need to understand regarding God's Grace, begins and ends with : The Cross of Christ.
Why?
Because its the Cross of Christ that connects us, the BELIEVERS, to God Himself and that is where Grace is Located.
Without The Cross.......God is "up there" and we are "down here"..... and nary shall the 2 ever have Fellowship or Relationship or Sonship.
Is the Cross of Christ.
Everything we need to understand regarding God's Grace, begins and ends with : The Cross of Christ.
Why?
Because its the Cross of Christ that connects us, the BELIEVERS, to God Himself and that is where Grace is Located.
Without The Cross.......God is "up there" and we are "down here"..... and nary shall the 2 ever have Fellowship or Relationship or Sonship.
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Douglas Brian McIntire
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16 For from his [Jesus] fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1)
God's grace extends to anyone and everyone when a person turns to Jesus and learns from Him (2 Cor 3:16-18 Jesus' Spirit is there). There is no salvation without turning to Jesus through faith in Him and His instructions, then applying that "grace" of unmerited favor abiding in Him to the end.
36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. (John 3:36)
Two types of people...
Type 1
24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.Type 2
26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” (Matthew 7)Jesus said,
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (John 15)
Paul wrote Titus,
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you. (Titus 2)
All the Apostles wrote about this fact known as the "Doctrine of Godliness" and it cannot be better summarized than what the writer of Acts wrote about Peter speaking...
Gentiles Hear the Good News
34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), 37 you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. (Acts 10)
14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10)
One doesn't need a water baptism to receive the Holy Spirit, and Acts 10:44 is proof of that fact (Just extra info).
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Douglas Brian McIntire
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Let's look at those verses.
I don't know what translation you use, but I will use the ESV because it is simpler to understand, and I will add verses to the one's you suggested to get a greater context.
John 3:6(7)-8
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (ESV)
You should know by now through Jesus' own words that God is Spirit. Jesus, Himself answers "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit" and how this works...
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me. (John 14:15-24)
John & Paul explains how Jesus's Spirit Works. Let's understand Paul's explanation first to better understand John's (John 15:1-8).
Paul wrote,
16 When one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:16-18)
John wrote Jesus saying,
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. (John 15:1-8)
Matthew wrote the same principle yet used different words,
Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest
25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:25-30)Now, when it comes to all those other verses that are improperly used out of context to what Jesus taught, Jesus said " I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing" meaning, "No one can boast" of works of their own doing, but it doesn't exclude works!
What type of works does Jesus ask of us just within these passages I shared? The answer is 'Turning to Jesus to learn from Him.'
Paul tells the Colossians,
8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. (Colossians 2:8-9)
Without turning to Jesus it is impossible to do anything because Grace comes through Faith, and without Faith, it is impossible to please God. No one can understand "God's grace" without turning to Jesus in faith and doing what Jesus' says...
I Never Knew You
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’Two types of people
Type 1...
24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.Type 2...
26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” (Matthew 7:21-27)8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10)
Without "Faith" which is trusting Jesus at His word and abiding in His Word, no one will ever understand or know the "Grace of God." And anyone who teaches "grace" before "faith" is someone who is a liar and gives false testimony. Not because I say so, but because Jesus and His Apostles said so.
Judgment on False Teachers
3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into powerlessness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. (Jude 1:3-4)
Anyone who doesn't believe Jesus died for everyone, that all a person has to do is turn to Jesus in "FAITH" doing what He says, IS A LIAR giving false testimony because they have never given themselves to Jesus.
24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. (John 12:24-26)
That "Faithless" person does not have the Spirit of Jesus Christ within them, nor the grace (unmerited favor) to live for God; they are completely POWERLESS...
6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.
14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. (Romans 6:6-14)
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Douglas Brian McIntire
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You used John 3:7-8 which isn’t the full context, so I added verse 6 (John 3:6-8) because you left out that important aspect of the context. The impact is clarity to the process by Which God, who is the Holy Spirit, works. The gospel of John teaches the process by which both Jew and gentile become children of God.
Many people use the Apostles teachings to define the written testimony and words of Jesus‘s when in actuality the Apostle’s teachings must solely be defined by Jesus’ spoken words and instructions which the 4 gospels have relayed.
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I agree that the gospels have primacy.
All of our knowledge of God, his grace, and the meaning of love is expressed in the Word made flesh, our Lord Jesus Christ. NO better and no clearer revelation is given and, indeed, none is possible. Christ is our light and our life.
Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, 'Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.' Jesus answered him, 'Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.' Nicodemus said to him, 'How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?' Jesus answered, 'Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, "You must be born from above." The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.' Nicodemus said to him, 'How can these things be?' Jesus answered him, 'Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? 'Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony.
John 3:1-11 NRSV-CE
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Clare73
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Yes, flesh is born of flesh, and the new birth of God's divine eternal life within our immortal spirits (it first being given to Adam) is of God, the Holy Spirit, it being his own divine life.
Where did Jesus say anything about
the body of Christ, or
the one olive tree of God's people going all the way back to Abraham; i.e., the church (ek-klesia, called-out assembly, Ac 7:38) being the bride of Christ (Eph 5:30-32), or
sharing in Christ's own eternal inheritance (Ro 8:17), etc.?
Jesus was born, lived, preached and died under the Old Covenant. He did not give the full New Covenant revelation because so much of it depended on the cross at the end of his life. It is the apostles who completed the New Covenant revelation, and Jesus' teachings are to be understood in the light of that completed NT revelation.
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