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PJM
Guest
Dear friend in Christ,
Please hare with us what it means to YOU, “to believe in the Gospel”
God Bless you,
Patrick
Please hare with us what it means to YOU, “to believe in the Gospel”
God Bless you,
Patrick
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VDMA
Guest
To trust that Christ’s suffering and death has redeemed me from all of my sin, death, and the power of the devil. And that I receive this gift freely from God, apart from any works on my part.
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PJM
Guest
Can we my friend define terms?
Redemption means?
Salvation means?
God Bless you,
Patrick
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VDMA
Guest
Redemption means?
I was born a slave to sin, unable to free myself. I deserved nothing but God’s temporal and eternal punishment. But, Christ has paid the price for my sin. He has bought me back with His holy, precious blood and His innocent suffering and death. I have been joined to Christ, my sin is His sin and His righteousness is my righteousness.
Salvation means?
Because I am now joined to Christ, my sins are forgiven and I have the gift of eternal life.
I was born a slave to sin, unable to free myself. I deserved nothing but God’s temporal and eternal punishment. But, Christ has paid the price for my sin. He has bought me back with His holy, precious blood and His innocent suffering and death. I have been joined to Christ, my sin is His sin and His righteousness is my righteousness.
Salvation means?
Because I am now joined to Christ, my sins are forgiven and I have the gift of eternal life.
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eazyduzit
Guest
Wonderful question Patrick! You are really thinking. This is the baseline of Christianity. I know you are itching to give us plebes the Catholic Answer.
First, What is the “Gospel” ? The good news is all about what Jesus has accomplished for us.
It is His work and His merit for us . That is why it is truly great news.
Second, it is almost too good to be true because it is a free gift.(5 times in Rm.5)5 is the number of grace and salvation is by Grace, the free gift of God.
I think you will agree thus far Patrick.
Redemption as you know is not quite equivalent to Salvation. To redeem means to “buy back” as if i went to the pawn shop to redeem an item. Jesus has fully paid the price for all our sins. He makes us free. That is redemption.
Salvation includes much more. See “much more” in Rm. 5:9,17,20. Justification as a benefit of Salvation means much more than “just as if i never sinned”. It is the whole righteousness of Christ. 2Cor.5:21 says we are the righteousness of God in Christ. He still retains righteousness, but we benefit by being placed in Him. You might disagree here.
Then, our spirit is reborn or renewed and we receive a share of the life of God.
To be cont.
First, What is the “Gospel” ? The good news is all about what Jesus has accomplished for us.
It is His work and His merit for us . That is why it is truly great news.
Second, it is almost too good to be true because it is a free gift.(5 times in Rm.5)5 is the number of grace and salvation is by Grace, the free gift of God.
I think you will agree thus far Patrick.
Redemption as you know is not quite equivalent to Salvation. To redeem means to “buy back” as if i went to the pawn shop to redeem an item. Jesus has fully paid the price for all our sins. He makes us free. That is redemption.
Salvation includes much more. See “much more” in Rm. 5:9,17,20. Justification as a benefit of Salvation means much more than “just as if i never sinned”. It is the whole righteousness of Christ. 2Cor.5:21 says we are the righteousness of God in Christ. He still retains righteousness, but we benefit by being placed in Him. You might disagree here.
Then, our spirit is reborn or renewed and we receive a share of the life of God.
To be cont.
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TonyBS
Guest
To acknowledge that it is complete Mercy Bounty and Forgiveness to know and to Love God.
That is defined by “God Doeth as He Willeth”.
The way - Psalm112:12 What shall I render to the LORD For all His benefits toward me? 13 I shall lift up the cup of salvation And call upon the name of the LORD.…
1 John 3:1 See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
God Bless and Regards Tony - Regards Tony
That is defined by “God Doeth as He Willeth”.
The way - Psalm112:12 What shall I render to the LORD For all His benefits toward me? 13 I shall lift up the cup of salvation And call upon the name of the LORD.…
1 John 3:1 See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
God Bless and Regards Tony - Regards Tony
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eazyduzit
Guest
Hi Tony,
I was just wondering if your salvation plan includes a savior or is it a “do it yourself” program?
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eazyduzit
Guest
John 3:16 is the GOSPEL in a nutshell. For God so loved the world that He (G)ave His(O)nly (S)on that whosoever would believe on Him would not (P)erish, but have (E)ternal (L)ife.
One receives salvation by trusting in God’s promise. Trust is the action of faith. This is what faithful Abraham did, even though he never saw the final result of God’s promise.
One receives salvation by trusting in God’s promise. Trust is the action of faith. This is what faithful Abraham did, even though he never saw the final result of God’s promise.
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TonyBS
Guest
Dear eazyduzit - Only God knows our True Heart and Only God knows where we will be with Him as we conclude this earthly life.
Thus a “Salvation Plan” is only a result, if God so chooses, of our pitiful but heartfelt effort to Know and Love God and “Salvation” is never an aim of that effort.
Our life in the womb of this world is to acquire as many Spiritual Virtues as we can, by our constant use of our God Given free will. The aim of searching for these virtues is but for Love as without these Virtues the path to love is clouded.
IMHO - In the end all the greatest men offered their Souls to God for the Salvation of all mankind, there was no thought of Selfish Personal Salvation. their lives reflected the sacrifice offered.
To me this is what the Bible is trying to impart to us, that is give our all offer up our Soul for the betterment of Mankind.
Can we reach this goal, we can only try, Little by Little, Day by Day and pray to God that he grants this wish!
God bless them all - Regards Tony
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PJM
Guest
Thank you my friend for the scholarly reply. And in particular for discerning a difference for the two terms.
And of course I do disagree with your understanding of 2 Cor. 5:21
I also disagree with your definition of “Redemption”; IF i’m understanding you correctly?
Are you saying that Christ has done “all” that is required for one’s salvation?
Might I ask two additional questions.
[1] Can everyone interpret the bible at will?
[2] Can [as in: is it possible?] for God to have one way of salvation for “you” & another, different set of necessary conditions for “me?”
And as a FYI:
I don’t consider your position uninformed
Perhaps; misinformedGod Bless you,
Patrick
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SirEwenii
Guest
A really helpful spiritual exercise I have done once (and mean to do again) is to go through the gospel of Mark asking myself this question. Mark begins with the sentence, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”. It is a very short gospel and you can read it quite comfortably in an hour and a half if you are reading it to yourself, though taking a bit longer to pray in between is great too or splitting up your reading.
Mark is short but punchy, and you will get a very good picture of the good news by reading it. Eg Mark 1:14-15
“Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
The “good news” in this sentence, is that the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand. What does that mean? God was about to establish His kingdom through the death of Jesus, the Jews were being called to believe that the promised kingdom was about to be fulfilled, the promises would be fulfilled. The gospel today is that they have been
Keep going through Mark, it just gets so beautiful.
Mark is short but punchy, and you will get a very good picture of the good news by reading it. Eg Mark 1:14-15
“Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
The “good news” in this sentence, is that the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand. What does that mean? God was about to establish His kingdom through the death of Jesus, the Jews were being called to believe that the promised kingdom was about to be fulfilled, the promises would be fulfilled. The gospel today is that they have been
Keep going through Mark, it just gets so beautiful.
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eazyduzit
Guest
Please keep going SirE. What is the “kingdom” and how do YOU enter into it?A really helpful spiritual exercise I have done once (and mean to do again) is to go through the gospel of Mark asking myself this question. Mark begins with the sentence, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”. It is a very short gospel and you can read it quite comfortably in an hour and a half if you are reading it to yourself, though taking a bit longer to pray in between is great too or splitting up your reading.
Mark is short but punchy, and you will get a very good picture of the good news by reading it. Eg Mark 1:14-15
“Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
The “good news” in this sentence, is that the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand. What does that mean? God was about to establish His kingdom through the death of Jesus, the Jews were being called to believe that the promised kingdom was about to be fulfilled, the promises would be fulfilled. The gospel today is that they have been
Keep going through Mark, it just gets so beautiful.
E
eazyduzit
Guest
Let me elaborate. By Redemption, I understand that Jesus has offered sufficient payment for the sins of the whole world.Thank you my friend for the scholarly reply. And in particular for discerning a difference for the two terms.
And of course I do disagree with your understanding of 2 Cor. 5:21
I also disagree with your definition of “Redemption”; IF i’m understanding you correctly?
Are you saying that Christ has done “all” that is required for one’s salvation?
Might I ask two additional questions.
[1] Can everyone interpret the bible at will?
[2] Can [as in: is it possible?] for God to have one way of salvation for “you” & another, different set of necessary conditions for “me?”
And as a FYI:
I don’t consider your position uninformed
God Bless you,
Patrick
In Salvation, I believe that Jesus has done everything needed to justify me with God’s requirements for righteousness so that I am perfectly qualified for heaven. I can rest in His work. You remember that man was created on the seventh day, the day of rest. There was nothing further that Adam needed to accomplish. Creation was not less than perfect and complete. Adam did not need to work for his daily needs or food. In the same way, God’s salvation is not less than perfect and complete. We do not need to work to add anything to it. We must strive to enter into God’s rest as in Heb.4. and not fall short of it as the Hebrews did in the wilderness.
I hope this helps
Shalom
Jerry
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Reuben_J
Guest
I don’t know what is it but this is wrong. Sadly wrong. I think this is way too dangerous a doctrine that could lead to one’s downfall.
For starter, Adam definitely needed to work for his daily needs of food. … even if it was to pluck the grain or to pick an apple. If he didn’t even as to lift a hand, he would certainly go hungry. I wouldn’t know what happen if he would persist in his stubbornness … Would he become under nourished and what would happen thereafter … but he truly had to do some work for his upkeep and to eat.
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fhansen
Guest
Love is real-and foundational to the universe. IOW, God exists, God is good and trustworthy, God desires nothing but the absolute best for man, eternally. That’s what Jesus proved.
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SirEwenii
Guest
Well I wasn’t trying to make any argument really. I guess the rest of the gospel details what that kingdom is and how one enters it.
I think the Jewish people would have known from the Old Testament what the kingdom is: the redemption of the Jewish people. God acting in human history as He had promised since Adam.
I think what He is saying is, “Repent and believe that the time has come for God to fulfill what He has promised” Our redemption and all the promises of the new covenant.
Before this the gospel of the old testament was, “Repent and believe that God will redeem you”
And the gospel of the apostles (and today) was “Repent and believe in the redemption God has worked”
To “believe in the gospel” is to put our faith in God’s redemption, His mercy and His faithfulness.
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Reuben_J
Guest
I am not convinced with people who quoted JOHN 3:16 to summarise the Gospel though I am only too glad to be convinced. At first glance that looks pretty cool, after all it is a biblical verse, but that is as much as it goes. Believe? Trust in God’s promise?
Believe in what? Which promises?
To what extend do we believe? Do we believe that Jesus has to spit on the mud and put it on one’s eyes to be healed or that Jesus merely heals and that he does not have to do the mud part?
John 3:16 is more than just a nutshell. It probably is more detailed and specific, the contents which are often being missed out by those pedalling this verse.
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PJM
Guest
The “good news” in this sentence, is that the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand. What does that mean? God was about to establish His kingdom through the death of Jesus, the Jews were being called to believe that the promised kingdom was about to be fulfilled, the promises would be fulfilled. The gospel today is that they have been
GREAT post and a great idea. I’ll make the next Gospel I read.
God Bless you, and thanks
Patrick
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PJM
Guest
Great choice; BUT what does it mean to “BELIEVE”; not the definition; but rather what does God mean; what is John teaching here. What ARE the conditions of belief?
God Bless you,
Patrick
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PJM
Guest
A former mentor of mine; Fr. John A Hardon; one of the most respected Theologians of the 20th Century; said this about truth:
“Truth is the condition of grace; it is the source of grace; it is the channel of grace,it is the Divinely ordained requirement of grace.”
Pope Benedict said: “There cannot be your truth and my truth or there would be no truth.”
The position you choose to hold and accept recounts what God COULD have but choose NOT to have. While wildly popular within the ranks of non-Catholic- Christians; it presumes to tell God how He will save you; rather than listen to what His Church; the holder of the Key’s to heavens gate Mt. 16:18-19; has taught from it’s creation by Jesus Himself.
Your position while desirable from a purely humanistic point of view [it is easier and far more simple than what the CC has consistently taught for 2,000 years]; nevertheless . overlooks the very nature of God; and God’s consistent abhorrence to sin,and precisely why he created man in “his own image.” Gen 1:26-27
Space limits here prohibit a detailed account of each of these points; but in summary; it is foolish to presume that God became Incarnate man; suffered inexplicably on our account; and then is “OK” with man simply professing a personal relationship with God as being sufficient satisfaction for all that he has done, all that he has given to us, and all that He entrusted to His Church.
Even a cursory reading of the OT clearly articulates that God is a GOD of expectations
and do what is right before him, and obey his commandments, and keep all his precepts"
Deuteronomy 11:1
Therefore love the Lord thy God and observe his precepts and ceremonies, his judgments and commandments at all times
It was the failure to fulfill this condition of a “personal relationship” with God that time and time again to cause God to permit subjection, and merit numerous reprisals for their NOT doing ALL that He demanded.
God is Perfect and expects that we too be perfect and return perfect love for the Perfect Love He has shown for us: Mt 5: 48 “.Be you therefore perfect, as also your heavenly Father is perfect” To presume that God COULD be satisfied so easily [that presumption denies the very Nature of God’s Justice and sense of fairness]
is a human invention of the 16th-17th Century.
Take Up your Cross and Follow Me
Phil.2: 8 “And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross Luke.9 :23 And he said to all, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.Mark.8: 34 And he called to him the multitude with his disciples, and said to them, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Luke.9: 23 And he said to all, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.** Luke.14: 7** Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple
WHY? Why is this?
It is because in God’s DESIGNED creation of man, in His “self-image” was to enable man to PROVE his fidelity and love for God; time and time again. Which in all of the entire created Universe; ONLY man is enabled to do.
It is highly significant that Christ Church did not waver; did not rethink, did not weaken Her Teachings in the onslaught of Reformations teachings; each and every one of which was made intentionally easier, simpler; less demanding than Catholicisms teachings.
Here’s the surest evidence:
There is but One True God [the 1st Commandment]
Just a Yahweh had just One set of faith beliefs; so do DOES Jesus [even God cannot hold differing; even contradictory views on the same defined issues:shrug:
Just a Yahweh had one chosen people **Exo. 6:7; so to Christ has just one chosen people which He calls “MY CHURCH” [singular] **Mt 16:18-19 **
God being Good; Just; Fair and consistent in an absolute sense could NOT have waited over 1,000 years AFTER His Resurrection to introduce His one set of Faith beliefs. IMPOSSIBLE.
Nor can God Make your salvation possible on a different set of rules and conditions than He does for me. That too defies God’s very Nature.
No my friend; what you believe is not biblical when using the entire Bible.
God Bless you,
Patrick
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