Who then can be saved?

[Clare73]

This sounds like maybe a Reformed Baptist point of view? Just trying to understand, not judging.

Faith is a gift looks like a Biblical view to me (Php 1:29, 2 Pe 1:1, Ac 13:48, 18:27, Ro 12:3).

 

[NewLifeInChristJesus]

Faith is a gift looks like a Biblical view to me (Php 1:29, 2 Pe 1:1, Ac 13:48, 18:27, Ro 12:3).

It was a question I had about his theology based on his application of Ephesians 2:8. But his posts that I read later confirmed my suspicion, so I dropped my question.

But let me just say that a person's ability to hear and believe God's testimony that he is a sinner in need of a Savior and that Jesus stands ready to rescue him is not a gift that is given to some and witheld from others. This is the reformed view of what the Bible says, of course, but it is not the prevalent view among Christians.

 

[Clare73]

It was a question I had about his theology based on his application of Ephesians 2:8. But his posts that I read later confirmed my suspicion, so I dropped my question.

But let me just say that a person's ability to hear and believe God's testimony that he is a sinner in need of a Savior and that Jesus stands ready to rescue him is not a gift that is given to some and witheld from others. This is the reformed view of what the Bible says, of course, but it is not the prevalent view among Christians.

Jn 3:3-5 pretty much disagrees with that, Jn 3:6-8 presenting the sovereignty of the Holy Spirit, as unaccountable as the wind, in the re-birth.

 

[NewLifeInChristJesus]

Jn 3:3-5 pretty much disagrees with that, Jn 3:6-8 presenting the sovereignty of the Holy Spirit, as unaccountable as the wind, in the re-birth.

The wind blowing where it wishes means that the reformed view of faith being a gift given to some and witheld from others is correct? Faith doesn't save people. God saves people from His wrath. And it pleases Him to 'save those who believe" (1 Cor 1:21). He is Sovereign. That was His decision, and that settles it.

 

[Clare73]

The wind blowing where it wishes means that the reformed view of faith being a gift given to some and witheld from others is correct?
Faith doesn't save people.

God saves people, through his gift (Php 1:29, 2 Peter 1:1, Ac 13:48, 18:27, Ro 12:3) of faith (Eph 2:8-9).
The gift of faith is the gift of salvation. . .no gift of faith, no gift of salvation.

God saves people from His wrath. And it pleases Him to 'save those who believe" (1 Cor 1:21). He is Sovereign. That was His decision, and that settles it.

What is your explanation of Jn 3:6-8 in light of and connection to Jn 3:3-5 regarding the Holy Spirit?

 

[NewLifeInChristJesus]

God saves people, through his gift (Php 1:29, 2 Peter 1:1, Ac 13:48, 18:27, Ro 12:3) of faith (Eph 2:8-9).
The gift of faith is the gift of salvation. . .no gift of faith, no gift of salvation.

The problem is that God has chosen to "save those who believe" (1 Cor 1:21). Believing comes first, then salvation. That they are not the same event and that faith comes first is obvious in other verses like Ephesians 2:8 which says "you have been saved through faith" and Romans 10:13-14 which says, "For 'whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.' How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed?" Believing preceeds salvation. I know this does not conform to reformed theology.

What is your explanation of Jn 3:6-8 in light of and connection to Jn 3:3-5 regarding the Holy Spirit?

God gives the right to become one of His children to everyone who receives Jesus and believes in His name (Jn 1:12). These are they who are "born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (Jn 1:13). Again, God decides who He saves. And He has decided to save those who believe.

 

[Clare73]

The problem is that God has chosen to "save those who believe" (1 Cor 1:21). Believing comes first, then salvation.

Correct. . .and that faith is a gift (Php 1:29, 2 Peter 1:1, Ac 13:48, 18:27, Ro 12:3).

That they are not the same event and that faith comes first is obvious in other verses like Ephesians 2:8 which says "you have been saved through faith" and Romans 10:13-14 which says, "For 'whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.' How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed?" Believing preceeds salvation. I know this does not conform to reformed theology.

God gives the right to become one of His children to everyone who receives Jesus and believes in His name (Jn 1:12). These are they who are "born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (Jn 1:13). Again, God decides who He saves. And He has decided to save those who believe.

 

[NewLifeInChristJesus]

Correct. . .and that faith is a gift (Php 1:29, 2 Peter 1:1, Ac 13:48, 18:27, Ro 12:3).

And everyone has that gift (Romans 10:8).

 

[Clare73]

And everyone has that gift (Romans 10:8).

Paul is speaking to Christians in Romans.