“Once Saved Always Saved” #3

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jimmy_B
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
Which noncanonical reference would you like me to address now?
I’m not asking you to address non-canonical references. The Deuteros ARE canonical - for the historic Christian faith, that is.

Protestantism in all it’s splintered factions is not part of that historic Christian faith, but is instead, awash in a sea of confusion.


**The mere fact that doctrines vary from denomination to denomination is proof of this - like OSAS . . .
 
I’m not asking you to address non-canonical references. The Deuteros ARE canonical - for the historic Christian faith, that is.

Protestantism in all it’s splintered factions is not part of that historic Christian faith, but is instead, awash in a sea of confusion.

The mere fact that doctrines vary from denomination to denomination is *proof *of this - like OSAS . . .
That does not make a lick of sense. They are no more our problem that they are your problem. Different groups coming to different conclusions about what the Bible teaches (or tradition in your case) is not my problem. Since when are people who have it wrong proof that we have it wrong?
If that were the case, all the groups that disagree with you would disprove you first…
You have not thought that line of logic through. And Elvisman, that is not Catholic doctrine so that is just your mistaken opionion. But its horrible apologetics, I would not use it against any religion (Muslim, Hindu, Mormon) because its illogical.
 
When you properly address the questions I have asked you ad nauseam - without your dodge tactics - then I will entertain the thought of answering your questions.
Quid pro quo, my spiritually pridefule friend - quid pro quo. 👍
No hablo espanol.
Speak English please.
 
That does not make a lick of sense. They are no more our problem that they are your problem. Different groups coming to different conclusions about what the Bible teaches (or tradition in your case) is not my problem. Since when are people who have it wrong proof that we have it wrong?
If that were the case, all the groups that disagree with you would disprove you first…
You have not thought that line of logic through. And Elvisman, that is not Catholic doctrine so that is just your mistaken opionion. But its horrible apologetics, I would not use it against any religion (Muslim, Hindu, Mormon) because its illogical.
**I couldn’t agree with you more.

It IS illogical for Protestants to claim they have the truth when there are over 30,000 versions of the “truth”.

Actually, the onus is on YOU to prove the Church wrong.

**You see - your Scriptural traditions came some 1200 years AFTER the canon was declared by the Catholic Church. In short - if you have a problem with the canon of the historic Christian faith and claim to be a Christian - YOU have to prove why you’re right and the Church has been wrong for all of those centuries.

Now, since you’re obviously going to continue to dodge the NT references to the Deuterocanonicals that I gave you - what do you say we get back to the original topic of the post:
"Once Saved Always Saved".
 
What do you believe my position to be before you assert that it is wrong? If you are basing that upon Elvisman’s incorrect view of my position, it is understandable. I have never said a council set the OT canon.
Thank you
Ok, but one did. 😃

I know, you are talking about Jewish councils, are you not ?
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nicea325
And I’ll tell you what? How could Paul KNOW what the canon was,if different Jews accepted different books. The Pharisees included more than the Pentateuch as oppose to the Sadducees. Likewise,the Essenes had their own selection of books.
Case in point, prior to the canon of the NT,different communities used different books/letters.Corinth also considered Clement’s Letter to the Corinthians as scripture. Some communities the Shepherd of Hermas as scripture and some communities accepted others. Guess what? There was NO FIXED canon,so your so-called overwhelming evidence is NOT overwhelming evidence at all. Precisely why it took centuries to form a FIXED canon because there existed literally hundreds of different letters.
You are not going to go anywhere with your false belief a fixed canon already existed prior to Jesus because there is NO empirical evidence to support your position.
AGAIN…Josephesus IS NOT OVERWHELMING evidence because his reference is not pointing to or even remotely discussing a FIXED canon. WHAT DO YOU NOT COMPREHEND?
Rightlydivide:
Of course it is a set canon.
I beg your pardon? It is a set canon? I’ll say it one more time,the quote is not about an established canon or reecently fixed canon.You want the quote from Josephus to say what it was not intended to say.
Paul and Jesus never had any confusion about what was scripture and what was not.
And how does that prove a fixed canon existed?
Josephus said the Jews all had the same books. I believe him. You seem to believe some other primary source you have not mentioned just yet.
Josephus only mentions a number books…NOT a FIXED canon…big difference.
But I am an optimist.
So am I,but I accept what history provides us,not what I ASSUME was or is a fact of history.
As far as many of your next assertions, lets address them
Who specifically said that Corinth thought Clement was canonical? Are you going to use the passage in Eusebius? That is not what it says. They read it and held it in high esteeem as you can imagine but scripture? Give a source for that statement.
Yes, some communities accept the Shepherd but fortunately prior to all of those councils, and why did they have so many if the Pope settled it in 382 after his declaration (hint: the list and source of the Council of Rome indicates a later dating)?
First of all, I never said the church at Corinth claimed it was canonical,but viewed it as scripture. Sure I’ll give a source to support my view.
You never dealt with Paul and how he could make the statement he did. How can I get you to do a little exegesis of the passage?
Yes I did and told you that different Jews accepted different books. St.Paul never once says: Okay folks these specific books are ONLY considered legit scripture. What he considered scripture may have been questioned or rejected by others. The same applied with the process of the NT.
 
Code:
When the reference here is to "scripture" you must remember that they were only referring to the OT. Even Jesus referred to "scripture". Paul was a Pharisee and would be fully versed in the same. Josephus would have only known the OT though he could have known parts of what we refer to as the NT. So Peter could NOT be referring to Paul's writings as scripture but rather what already was in existence- the OT.
I think the issue is, though, which OT? Jesus and the Apostles used the Alexandrian Septuagint, which is why this was adopted by the Church (formally in 382)

I think that Peter referred both to the OT and to Paul’s letters, ratifying the letters as equal in authority to the OT.

2 Peter So also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given him,
[16] speaking of this as he does in all his letters. There are some things in them hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other scriptures.
 
This is Catholic. The Latin Rite calls it “prevenient” or "calling.drawing"grace. He has fashioned us with the desire to seek him.

I am not sure if it will take the thread off topic, but I am really interested in how you are defining “meritorious works” and the source of your definition.

I am also confused why you would equate these with sacraments. Sacraments are a means of God’s grace, and we cannot “merit” His grace. :confused:

Imagine that God’s grace pours down like water. In the sacraments, we stand under the waterfall, so that we can be in the best spot to get the grace. 😃

I guess if you consider moving under the waterfall a 'work" then we must place ourselves in a position/disposition to receive His grace. We are certainly rewarded for getting under the spout where the glory comes out! 👍 To that extent, it might be considered a meritorious work, or an effort on our part that is met with grace and blessing.

Do you remember the man and the pool who said he wanted to be healed?

Pat, had you considered finding out what we believe, instead of telling us what you think we believe?

Had you considered that what you may have been taught, or used to believe, is not the same as what the Catholic Church teaches?

Of course we believe in the perseverance of the saints! We just believe it differently. 😉

God is not obligated to do anything for us. He makes provisions by which we can receive his grace, and we can choose to avail ourselves of them.

While you are thinking about the man at the pool who said he wanted to be healed, I want to ask you another similar question. Do you remember the blind man that Jesus put mud on his eyes? Jesus told him to go wash in the pool. Was that a meritorious work?

Upon washing, do you think the man could have an expectation that he should be healed because he washed in the pool, as he was commanded? Was Jesus obligated to heal him?

what seems to speak is your level of hostility :eek:
It is that difference in understanding that changes the context and meaning of what God has said and thus you present a gospel that is not the Gospel according to Jesus or the Apostles.

I’ll give you an example: take infant baptism, the church teaches it removes original sin, which the Church ran into problems with Catholic parents who were unable to have them sprinkled, not even true baptism, and they invented limbo, which they have no backed away from, a change. Here is the point; one must perform an act that in turn makes God obligated; that is a work or as the Bible puts it wages due and is not counted as grace. Confirmation is another example where there is preparation and then performance and it is expected that God ow owes some imparted saving grace, which is not grace but wage.

I’ve been in the boat and found many holes in it that kept me working hard to stay in a state of grace; now that the Son has set me free I am truly free and do not have near the struggle or frustration(s)I once had. As the Bible says when the Son sets one free one is truly free and obedience becomes the overwhelming desire and the normal practice of my life and of those I know that are Christians

The Gospel presented in the Bible is just as described in Hebrews 4:12
**For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. **

That phrase “intent of the heart” was important in my life because I always had the expectation that because I showed obedience and performed, what I that was out of love for God, that He owed me. True love as shown by God on the cross and my true love to Him is being obedient because I want to and not because I expect something in return, no matter how large or small. One has the appearance of love, but is selfishness and the other is true love.
 
I think it is difficult to have this discussion because we have different concepts of salvation.

In this context, I think it is more appropriate to say taht we move in and out of a state of grace with God. When I was among my separated brethren, this was called “right relationship” with God.

The Apostles taught that it was possible to be reconciled to God, enter a right relationship with Him, then damage or sever that relationship.

This might be one of the most salient differences between the Apostolic Teaching and Reformed Theology. The Apostles taught that the nature of sin does not change “this side of the cross”, and that sin continues to separate us from God. Jesus paid the penalty for our sins, but not everyone receives the gift of redemption that He purchased for us. Some, after accepting it, and becoming partakers of His divine nature, later turn from Him, severing themselves from His covering grace.

We are in agreement on this point. Except that Catholics believe that without His grace, there is no salvation, and if one dies in such a state of sin, separated and astray from Him, the eternal penalty of death will be paid.

Yes, it is much like parenting. As you know, however, love is not equivalent to salvation. A parent can continue to love a child who will choose to go astray to their own destruction. What would have happened to the prodigal if he had not chosen to return? He would still have been his father’s son, but what benefit is that if he dies in a pigstye, separated from his inheritance?
You move in and out of states of grace because that s what your church teaches, which by no means makes it true since this is not taught in Scripture, No person I know of was ever able to receive the Holy Spirit, then kick Him out; how would one go about kicking or ridding oneself of such a powerful one especially given the fact one never had control to put in there in the first place?

As far as the Prodigal Son does I don’t even want to go there because few people understand the meaning of the parable. They mistakenly assume because they lived with the father in the story they were automatically saved, which based on that premise they miss the entire story and the spiritual meaning of the story in the context of the other parables in the same area.
 
I wonder about Ananias and Sapphira in Acts.

however, I think it is a poor linguistic construction. One cannot “lose” what one does not yet posess. There are some aspects of salvation that are complete, some that are in process, and some that are not completed until we leave this life. For that reason, to speak of them all as past tense is misleading, or to say that one “loses” that which has not yet been attained is also misleading.

Phil.3
[10] that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
[11] that if possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
[12] Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
[13] Brethren, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
[14] I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
[15] Let those of us who are mature be thus minded; and if in anything you are otherwise minded, God will reveal that also to you.
[16] Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

Clearly the Apostle here speaks of his resurrection in a conditional manner (“if possible”)

He knows that he has not yet obtained it, but presses on. He has not attained, but strives forward, pressing on. This is a good description of the perseverance of a saint. 👍

He could be separated from His heavenly inheritance, and that might be considered “losing salvation”, but since it has not yet been attained, it can’t really be lost. It might be more appropriate to say that he might fail to be united to the treasure that is kept for him in heaven.

I am sure that there are some who have pride and are focused on earning their way to heaven. However, this is not necessarily the cause for rejecting the Calvanistic idea of perseverance.

Even a persons actions with regard to salvation are based upon grace, so there is no room for boasting. “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” is followed immediately by “for God is at work in you…”

We are in agreement, though that we must deny ourselves and follow him. Most of us find this quite a bit of “work”.
I won’t take the time to give the proper context of what Paul is saying, but conditional resurrection is not one of them; Paul knew He was saved prior to writing that so it must have another contextual meaning.

The only reason to reject Calvin’s perseverance of the saints is to deny what Scripture teaches; there is no other possibility other than ignorance of the Bible I guess. Everyone will see this truth eventually and for some it will haunt them for eternity and for others they will rejoice in God for giving that perseverance.
 
I wonder about Ananias and Sapphira in Acts.

however, I think it is a poor linguistic construction. One cannot “lose” what one does not yet posess. …
This should make things absolutely clear whether or not Ananias and Sapphira were ever saved:
Matthew 22
The Parable of the Wedding Banquet
*Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: "… …"Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

"But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ The man was speechless.

"Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

“For many are invited, but few are chosen.”*
 
You move in and out of states of grace because that s what your church teaches,
No, Pat. We move out of right relationship with God when we sin. Sin separates us from God.
which by no means makes it true since this is not taught in Scripture,
This may come as a shock to you, but Scripture does not “teach”. people “teach”. Teaching is an activity that can only be conducted by persons, not books, however holy.

You do not see this principle in Scripture because you approach Scripture with anti-Catholic lenses.
No person I know of was ever able to receive the Holy Spirit, then kick Him out; how would one go about kicking or ridding oneself of such a powerful one especially given the fact one never had control to put in there in the first place?
Sin separates people from God. It is the nature of sin. When we choose sin, we choose a state of separation from God. No one who is in Christ continues in sin. If one continues in sin, one is not “in Christ”.
As far as the Prodigal Son does I don’t even want to go there because few people understand the meaning of the parable. They mistakenly assume because they lived with the father in the story they were automatically saved, which based on that premise they miss the entire story and the spiritual meaning of the story in the context of the other parables in the same area.
Hmmm. So, you are not willing to answer my question?

Do you believe it is possible for a person to be “in the Father’s house” and not be saved?

Why did the Father rejoice and kill the fatted calf if there was nothing to celebrate?

Why does the father say that the son who was gone was “dead”, and when he returned he was “alive again”?
Code:
I won't take the time to give the proper context of what Paul is saying,
So what are you saying? You have time to drop in and send a few missiles, but not enough time to discuss the fallout of your bombing? why are you posting here if you won’t take the time to follow up on your messages?

The “proper context of what Paul is saying” is the Catholic Church. Paul is a Catholic, writing to Catholics, about the Catholic faith. Now that didn’t take much time! 😃
but conditional resurrection is not one of them; Paul knew He was saved prior to writing that so it must have another contextual meaning.
I am ALL EARS! I don’t think it is 'conditional salvation" either. I think the text makes it quite clear that he did not expect his salvation to be completed in this life.
Code:
The only reason to reject Calvin's perseverance of the saints is to deny what Scripture teaches; there is no other possibility other than ignorance of the Bible I guess.
No, Pat. Maybe that is true for you, but not for many of us. Catholics know that Scripture does not teach. People teach. Scripture is “useful” for teaching. The authority for teaching was given by Jesus to the Apostles, and they passed this on to their successors, the bishops.

The Apostles taught that, if we were to receive any other gospel than the one that was handed on to us by them, we would be anathema (accursed). What Calvin invented constitues “a different Gospel” than the one we received from the Apostles. The reason we cannot accept it is because we do not want to be accursed. :eek:
Code:
It is that difference in understanding that changes the context and meaning of what God has said and thus you present a gospel that is not the Gospel according to Jesus or the Apostles.
I am sure it seems different to you. You may never have received the Apostolic Gospel. Some people only have ever been exposed to the “reformed gospel” that was developed 1600 years after the Apostles.
 
Code:
 I'll give you an example:  take infant baptism, the church teaches it removes original sin, which the Church ran into problems with Catholic parents who were unable to have them sprinkled, not even true baptism,
Pat, you seem to have a number of misunderstandings about the Catholic faith. The fullest sign of baptism is considered to be immersion. If it is not possible to immerse, then pouring is used. Infants are not baptized by “sprinkling”. Sprinkling is used during the liturgical year to remind us of our baptismal vows.
and they invented limbo, which they have no backed away from, a change.
The concept of “limbo” was a theological speculation, not a doctrine of the faith. The doctrines have not changed, and cannot change. They were delivered “once for all to the saints”. This is called the Deposit of Faith. This same principle, of not being allowed to change the doctrine, is what prevents us from accepting Calvin’s views.
Here is the point; one must perform an act that in turn makes God obligated; that is a work or as the Bible puts it wages due and is not counted as grace.
There are several errors here. First of all, God is not bound by the commandments He gives to us. He can save whoever he wants, however He likes. He commanded us to get baptized. Baptism is the means by which His grace is poured out in our hearts. He is not “obligated” in any way to confer His grace upon us.

It appears that you have not made a distinction between holy works (ergo hagios) and works of the flesh. Holy works are those that God has prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Baptism is one of these. When we have done all that He has commanded, we say “we are unworthy servants, and have only done that which is our duty”. He does not owe us any “wage”.
Confirmation is another example where there is preparation and then performance and it is expected that God ow owes some imparted saving grace, which is not grace but wage.
No, Pat, it is not. It appears that you do not understand the basic sacramental principle. yes, of course we prepare to receive His grace. Do you remember how the household of Cornelius prepared to receive His grace? Do you think God “owed” the house of Cornelius salvation?
Code:
I've been in the boat and found many holes in it that kept me working hard to stay in a state of grace; now that the Son has set me free I am truly free and do not have near the struggle or frustration(s)I once had.
I am glad that you have finally been able to understand and accept God’s grace. It was one of the things I had trouble with also. I thought that I was supposed to work “on” my salvation, instead of work “out” my salvation. there is a world of difference. In working "on’, there is a sense that we have to achieve some state of righteousness in order to get to heaven. In working “out” there is a recognition that we are saved by grace, through faith, and not of works. We are made to fulfill the works of righteousness that He has predestined for us from the beginning of time. The grace in which we are sealed at baptism is at work in us to will and to do His good pleasure.
Code:
As the Bible says when the Son sets one free one is truly free and obedience becomes the overwhelming desire and the normal practice of my life and of those I know that are Christians
What a great blessing! And His commandments are not burdensome…
Code:
The Gospel presented in the Bible is just as described in Hebrews 4:12
**For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. **

That phrase “intent of the heart” was important in my life because I always had the expectation that because I showed obedience and performed, what I that was out of love for God, that He owed me. True love as shown by God on the cross and my true love to Him is being obedient because I want to and not because I expect something in return, no matter how large or small. One has the appearance of love, but is selfishness and the other is true love.
Yes, this is true. the more we are in His Word, the more our intentions will be brought into conformity with His intentions. We move away from selfishness toward selflessness.
 
Do you mean to say thatk, if the person described in Heb. 6 is a Christian?
Most people will corner themselves and say this speaks of a Christian, but it speaks of an apostate, a non-Christian.
I can see how one could read it this way, but that is not consistent with the Apostolic Teaching. One is only permanently lost if one fails to come to repentance. Christ does not cease to be the redemption for such people. There is always hope that someone who has rejected him might come to their senses, and return.
The point of Hebrews 6 is the person had all the knowledge necessary to come to repentance and never did; that why there no longer remains a sacrifice, they denied the only Way and the Truth (John 3:16).
No, but we can jump out. 😃
Tell me how one jumps out and give a Scriptural references as to those who “jumped out”; this is one of the more ludicrous statements , in a humorous way, I have seen on CAF.
He will, but some of them will not come back. Look at the rich young ruler that walked away. Jesus was sad, because looking upon him, He loved him. Yet, in His love, He allows us to walk away.
The Rich young ruler was not a Christian; so what did he walk away from? Jesus tried to get Him to deal with his si issue and he refused and walked away unwilling to deny “self” in favor of Christ…Christianities biggest problem then and biggest problem today.
I had a really hard time understanding this one. Is English not your first language?
If you are a Christian and do not believe in the “perseverance of the saints as a work of God in the believer”, then when the Christian dies He will then believe because he will see that truth.
This is an erroneous interpretation because of the term “apostate”. Certainly there are persons in the congregation that fit your description here, but they are not apostates. They are those who are choked out by the weeds or wither under persecution. An Apostate is one who has fallen away. One cannot fall away from that to which they were never clinging.
It is the correct interpretation as Scripture interprets this same in other places. The misunderstanding is from your lack of understanding from a Biblical world view what “fallen away” means. Before you said one can “jump”, now I guess one can skip the “jump” and just “fall”? Generally when the term “fall way” is used in the sense of a non-believer; it is they were exposed and may have even participated in the true faith of Christianity, then for whatever reason(s) turn fro that faith they participated and never come back or start their own religion.

I had a doctor/surgeon I had faith in because I met him, spoke with others that had positive things to say about him, part of the faith was based on a false promise and at some point I lost my faith in him and he will not be performing the operation; I fell away from the faith in him and have turned toward someone else. Likewise many have had a faith in Christianity, based on what they heard and may have even participated in those that have faith, but then turn from that faith in Christ; does this mean they were a Christian, then because they turned from the faith, they are no longer? No, it means what it says, they turned from a “faith” whether I jump or fall away. Thank God He inspired John to write 1John 2:19; so that the Christian does not get confused over this aspect of Scripture.
I would not, but that is because I don’t’ believe our salvation is completed in this life, and I follow the Apostle Paul, who does not presume that he has already attained it.
Paul knew he was saved the minute he regained his sight; so if you truly want to follow the apostle Paul as your mentor, then you should hold onto the things which he wrote. Salvation is both complete and incomplete in this life as Scripture teaches and from who’s perspective you are viewing it from. God determined before the foundation of the world who would be in heaven to glorify Him yet we are saved, being saved and will be saved.
 
But Peter did reference Paul’s writings as scripture. Thats in the Bible Bishop Padrej.
You SAY That’s in the Bible. Here is the verse you speak of and PLEASE tell me where it refers to Paul’s writings as anything OTHER than “epistles.”
*2 Peter 3:15-17 (New King James Version)

15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. *

It refers to “the rest of scriptures” which was the OT.
 
You SAY That’s in the Bible. Here is the verse you speak of and PLEASE tell me where it refers to Paul’s writings as anything OTHER than “epistles.”
*2 Peter 3:15-17 (New King James Version)

15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. *

It refers to “the rest of scriptures” which was the OT.
The rest of scriptures refers to the OT and to Paul’s writings. The words kai loipos would be unnecessary if that were not the case. Scripture is not called the “the rest of scriptures” when it stands alone.
What would be your exegetical reasoning for this? Guanophore also believes this as well so it is not really a Catholic/Protestant exegetical disagreement.
 
The rest of scriptures refers to the OT and to Paul’s writings. The words kai loipos would be unnecessary if that were not the case. Scripture is not called the “the rest of scriptures” when it stands alone.
What would be your exegetical reasoning for this? Guanophore also believes this as well so it is not really a Catholic/Protestant exegetical disagreement.
Here are the verses in other translations so that some clarity can come from this followed by its cross reference verse.
2 Peter 3:15-17 (New International Version)

15Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

2 Peter 3:15-17 (Contemporary English Version)

15Don’t forget that the Lord is patient because he wants people to be saved. This is also what our dear friend Paul said when he wrote you with the wisdom that God had given him. 16Paul talks about these same things in all his letters, but part of what he says is hard to understand. Some ignorant and unsteady people even destroy themselves by twisting what he said. They do the same thing with other Scriptures too.

2 Peter 3:15-17 (New American Standard Bible)

15and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you,

16as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.

The last verse cross references to: 2 Peter 3:2 (New American Standard Bible)
2that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.
So you see if you take the verse in its context in English as well as Greek the subject is that of only the OT that was known by Paul at the time. Paul was a “pharisee of pharisees” so he would not write anything contrary to what had already been revealed in the OT. This is why the verse refers to Paul’s writings as “epistles” and NOT scripture as you have been attesting. The only commandment of Jesus was… Come on and **rightly **divide as your name suggests.
 
Most people will corner themselves and say this speaks of a Christian, but it speaks of an apostate, a non-Christian.

The point of Hebrews 6 is the person had all the knowledge necessary to come to repentance and never did; that why there no longer remains a sacrifice, they denied the only Way and the Truth (John 3:16).
JL: I think you corner yourself, believing a tradition of men made a doctrine of God, to nullify the Word of God. Ask yourself, how can one be an apostate if they never possessed what they apostatized from? Did Paul ever write letters to the Church of UNBELIEVERS? Aren’t all Paul’s letters addressed to BELIEVERS? Did those UNBELIEVERS preserve and give, to the Church of BELIEVERS, the letter to the Hebrews? How could we trust a letter preserved by UNBELIEVERS?

[Hb6:4 For it is impossible for those who were ONCE ENLIGHTENED, and have TASTED of THE HEAVENLY GIFT, and were made PARTAKERS OF THE HOLY GHOST, 5 And have TASTED the good WORD OF GOD, AND THE POWERS OF THE WORLD TO COME, 6 IF THEY SHALL FALL AWAY, TO RENEW THEM AGAIN unto repentance; SEEING THEY CRUCIFY to themselves THE SON of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.]

Paul is addressing a Christian community of those who have been ENLIGHTENED. They are not on the brink of being enlightened they are ENLIGHTENED and HAVE TASTED OF THE HEAVENLY GIFT, MADE PARTAKERS OF THE HOLY GHOST, They have the indwelling Holy Ghost.

Paul warns believers, with the indwelling Holy Spirit, of the danger of apostasy, alluding to those once Christian Jews, who left the Christian community and returned to Judaism. Having rejected Christ’s sacrifice, returning and placing their faith in animal sacrifice, which can never renew them again to repentance, taking away sin. It is impossible for them to repent and be renewed, apart from Christ and the Christian Community. As long as they remain hostile to the Gospel, it is impossible to renew them unto repentance. They are separated from Christ and his people, by choice and crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, as long as they remain obstinate.

If OSAS, why warn believing Christians against falling away if it can’t happen? How can non-believers, fall away from something they don’t have? Could non-believers be RESTORED to something they haven’t first possessed? The point is when a believer falls away from Christ, they will not find salvation in anyone other than Christ, it is impossible, as there is no other sacrifice or name under heaven by which men can be saved.

2Pt2:20 For if after they have ESCAPED the POLLUTIONS OF THE WORLD THROUGH THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ, they ARE AGAIN ENTANGLED THEREIN, and overcome, THE LATTER END IS WORSE WITH THEM THAN THE BEGINNING. 21 For it had been better for them not to have KNOWN THE WAY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, than, after they have known it, TO TURN FROM THE HOLY COMMANDMENT delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Sources: RSV, Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, Commentary and Notes by Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch. Douay-Rheims Bible, footnotes, Loreto Publications. NAB, The Catholic Answer Bible footnotes, Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Division. And a Protestant source, David Guzik’s Commentaries on the Bible, on line @ studylight.org/com/guz/view.cgi?book=heb&chapter=006
 
Here are the verses in other translations so that some clarity can come from this followed by its cross reference verse.
2 Peter 3:15-17 (New International Version)

15Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

2 Peter 3:15-17 (Contemporary English Version)

15Don’t forget that the Lord is patient because he wants people to be saved. This is also what our dear friend Paul said when he wrote you with the wisdom that God had given him. 16Paul talks about these same things in all his letters, but part of what he says is hard to understand. Some ignorant and unsteady people even destroy themselves by twisting what he said. They do the same thing with other Scriptures too.

2 Peter 3:15-17 (New American Standard Bible)

15and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you,

16as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.

The last verse cross references to: 2 Peter 3:2 (New American Standard Bible)
2that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.
So you see if you take the verse in its context in English as well as Greek the subject is that of only the OT that was known by Paul at the time. Paul was a “pharisee of pharisees” so he would not write anything contrary to what had already been revealed in the OT. This is why the verse refers to Paul’s writings as “epistles” and NOT scripture as you have been attesting. The only commandment of Jesus was… Come on and **rightly **divide as your name suggests.
I think the first important thing to note is in v15 it is God who is directly inspiring Paul to authorship. Paul was not writing of his own will but at the prompting of God.

Secondly Paul’s writings are equated to scripture by the phraseology “the rest of scriptures” or “the other scriptures” it is a conjunction between the two subjects. If the word(s) “other” or “rest of” had been eliminated the two thoughts would be independent and stand alone. But they were not.

As I said earlier in v15 it is God inspiring Paul to write. I don’t care if you call it an epistle it is still God breathed. If it is not God inspired it doesn’t belong in His word.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top