Split and Edited Title: Catholic Vs Baptist Soteriology Discussion

[mikeledes]

ugh. This is what I was talking about dispensationalism. (wrongly dividing the word of truth) The FACT is that in the OT people were saved with their works that showed their faith. Abraham went to sacrifice Isaac because God told him to, (a work) and because he actually went to do it because God told him to it was showing (his faith).

So then Jesus’s statements before the cross are null and void huh? So then we can just ignore his divorce/remarriage, love your enemy, murder in your heart, looking with lust, etc. etc. sermon on the mount huh?

This is atrocious.

This notion that man could be saved apart from the Cross prior to the Cross undermines the very basis of Christianity. You don’t even find this idea among many Protestant theologians. All salvation (Old Testament and Church Age) is derived from the Cross.

God Bless,
Michael

 

[allischalmers]

We have the case of King Saul:

1 Samuel 10:6-9

Then the Spirit of the LORD will come upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man. 7 And let it be, when these signs come to you, that you do as the occasion demands; for God is with you. 8 You shall go down before me to Gilgal; and surely I will come down to you to offer burnt offerings and make sacrifices of peace offerings. Seven days you shall wait, till I come to you and show you what you should do.”
9 So it was, when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, that God gave him another heart; and all those signs came to pass that day.

And yet we read that God departed from Saul after he disobeyed:

1 Samuel 16:14

14 But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the LORD troubled him.

1 Samuel 18:12

12 Now Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, but had departed from Saul.

God can grant mercy and give the Holy Spirit, but He can also take it away. That’s why after David grievously sinned (i.e. the Bathsheba incident), he pleaded:

Psalm 51:11

11 Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

God Bless,
Michael

This is an entirely different situation. The endwelling of the Holy Spirit would not happen untill after the Jesus went back to the Father in heaven

 

[defenderoftruth]

This is an entirely different situation. The endwelling of the Holy Spirit would not happen untill after the Jesus went back to the Father in heaven

So alli, I have the same questions for you as I posed to shane above. Please read my post to shane above and if you could answer my inquiries I would greatly appreciate it. So are you dispensational as well? Do you strive to follow the sermon on the mount and all of Jesus other words about, “IF YOU DO THIS” you’ll be saved? What do you think about the situation of the guy I witnessed at work and church? (in the above post to shane).

 

[mikeledes]

This is an entirely different situation. The endwelling of the Holy Spirit would not happen untill after the Jesus went back to the Father in heaven

Here are a couple of examples, “pre-Cross.”

1 Samuel 16:13

13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward.

Luke 1:15

15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.

So could a person be regenerated without the Holy Spirit? Could they be saved and not have the Holy Spirit?

God Bless,
Michael

 

[Bishopite]

human nature

So you do still sin, so that means that Christ’s sacrifice didn’t take away all sin?
And what about Col 1:24 “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,”

What’s Paul mean by saying “I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions?”

 

[Contarini]

Hi Michael,

You are applying the OT salvation by works to the Church Age, which is salvation by grace.

No one has ever been saved by works, period. Romans 4 is abundantly clear on this. Everyone is saved by grace through faith. God does not change.

Edwin

 

[Philthy]

Philthy
I will concede that you are right if you can answer me one question—
How is the Holy Spirit going to do be able to remain in that soul if there is the least bit of unforgiven sin on the soul of a believer.

Hello allischalmers! :tiphat: I would say that the answer to this is relatively simple. Some sin is less serious than other sin. Dont get me wrong, “all wrongdoing is sin, but not all sin is deadly” (cf 1John5) For the sins which are not deadly, the participation in eternal life, which includes the indwelling of the holy Spirit, remains in the Christian. This is only possible by the merits accomplished by the Cross made effective through faith for the Christian. For the sins which are deadly (ie mortal sins), the participation in eternal life, which includes the indwelling of the holy Spirit, ends. We are broken off the vine, we have made a shipwreck of our faith, etc etc. That is the unfortunate reality of the effect of mortal sin. It is so egregious to God that it requires reconciliation to restore the life of the holy Spirit within us. This is why Catholics have the Sacrament of Reconciliation - because some sin is so serious that it breaks our relationship with God entirely and requires a restoration. This restoration is still part of what Christ accomplished on the Cross.
**The bigger question, though, is “Why do you believe that the holy Spirit remains in us forever?” ** It seems like another one of your assumptions, predicated on OSAS, that the Holy Spirit MUST remain in us forever. I cant think of Scripture making such a claim anywhere.

allis:
Future sins would have to have been forgiven when a person is born again and the stain of sin washed away also
This does not follow. Future sins have future consequences while past sins have been dealt with. There is no reason why the holy Spirit cannot remain in a person who is in a state of Grace and then depart due to sin, is there?

 

[kniche]

Dear friends:

We receive our salvation by faith trough Jesus, we receive it when we accepte our Lord as our Savior. From this moment on we have to follow Him and we have to try to be like Him, we have not to comit sins. We will have the strenght in HIM Phil. 4:12-14,“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

If we fail, we have to repent of our sins, and we will have Lord’s mercy. As catholics we have the Pennance Sacrament, and as protestans you have the mercy of God if you repent.

In any Bible saids that if you are a sinner you will be in grace, and if you are not in grace you can’t go to His Kingdom.

 

[Shain1611]

I’m sorry, but you are wrong. The righteous of the Old Testament and the “Church Age” are saved the same way, by the grace of God and the Cross of Christ. All those saved in the Old Testament were saved by the cross of Christ. If it were possible to be saved apart from the Cross of Christ, then the Cross would be unnecessary because we could save ourselves. :doh2:

Galatians 2:21

21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.

Observance of the Mosaic Law could not justify or save anyone because it could not free us of our sins. That could only be done by Christ. While the righteous of the Old Testament may not have known Christ as we know Christ, they believed in Him through the promises of God and the sacrificial system that foreshadowed/pointed to the Cross of Christ. Just read Hebrews 11.

God bless,
Michael

The OT and the NT are called by those names because Why? No OT soul was saved by Christ until Christ died on the Cross and spent three days preaching to those who died before our Lord Rose from the grave. He preached to them about the Gospel and thos who believed were saved.

NT saints are saved now, by believing on our Lord Jesus Christ and trusting on His finished work at the cross. No one was saved until our Lord came, died and rose from the grave. 1 John 5:7-11

You said:

** they believed in Him through the promises of God and the sacrificial system that foreshadowed/pointed to the Cross of Christ.**

As i have said, those who Jesus preached to while He was in the grave for three days, are those who died before our Lord died. Those who believed were saved, those who didn’t waite for the Judgment.

Were the OT people Born Again? Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Do you believe every word of Jesus?
So you don't believe in the Church age?

 

[NotWorthy]

The OT and the NT are called by those names because Why? No OT soul was saved by Christ until Christ died on the Cross and spent three days preaching to those who died before our Lord Rose from the grave. He preached to them about the Gospel and thos who believed were saved.

NT saints are saved now, by believing on our Lord Jesus Christ and trusting on His finished work at the cross. No one was saved until our Lord came, died and rose from the grave. 1 John 5:7-11

You said:

** they believed in Him through the promises of God and the sacrificial system that foreshadowed/pointed to the Cross of Christ.**

As i have said, those who Jesus preached to while He was in the grave for three days, are those who died before our Lord died. Those who believed were saved, those who didn’t waite for the Judgment.

Were the OT people Born Again? Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Do you believe every word of Jesus?

So you don't believe in the Church age?

No, Shain, I just believe that “All things are possible with God”. Period.

For instance, was the paralytic lowered through the roof saved because of his own faith, or others?

 

[benaiah]

So alli, I have the same questions for you as I posed to shane above. Please read my post to shane above and if you could answer my inquiries I would greatly appreciate it. So are you dispensational as well? Do you strive to follow the sermon on the mount and all of Jesus other words about, “IF YOU DO THIS” you’ll be saved? What do you think about the situation of the guy I witnessed at work and church? (in the above post to shane).

Hello Defender,
I’m confused (sorry). Could you clarify your defenition of “dispensational”. Is one to divide the books of the bible in any sort of way? Or should one assume every book, chapter and verse is directed towards a 21st century christian of today. Just curious. Thanks,
Benaiah

 

[lyle]

Here’s a question then: What defines a “work”?

A work that has to do with faith is the fruit of the spirit as in Galatians 5:22-23. This is what is meant by faith and works.

 

[littlemamaof5]

We all at one time or another are going to sin but because our sin have already been dealt with when Christ died on the cross there is not stain sin on the soul.
However when we do sin it effects our relationship and followship with God and other Christains. We make that relationship right when we come to God and ask forgiveness.

I just want to tell you that this kind of thinking is against what Our Lord teaches us in Our Catholic Bible (which is also where your Bible came from the Latin Vulgate was translated for your church) so you do use a Catholic Bible except for Martin Luther taking out 7 books when he disagreed with the Pope. That’s another subject but about confession refer to John20: 22-23"When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again,” Peace be with you, as the father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “** RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT. IF YOU FORGIVE THE SINS OF ANY, THEY ARE FORGIVEN; IF YOU RETAIN THE SINS OF ANY, THEY ARE RETAINED.”
** Now are you a Bible only Christian is that right? Well can you tell me with all due respect why the Bible says that and you don’t take what Our Lord said to the Apostles of the Church to be literal and correct? Our Lord gave them the authority to forgive sins in Confession and this is why we confess our sins to a Catholic Priest. The apostles laid hands on them and made new Catholic Bishops at the time and then these Bishops made Catholic priest to help them and we can trace our church all the way back to Peter and Peter was Our first Pope to whom Jesus said in Matt 16:18 YOU ARE ROCK and on this ROCK I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH! We can date Our Bible AND our CHURCH all the way back to Jesus. Can you do this? Who founded your church and why did he leave the Catholic Church? On another note about the Bible. When the early Christians went to church to hear the word of God it was only read to them in the Old Testament. There was no new testament even written at that time. The early Christians were Catholic and they didn’t need a Bible because when we go to Mass we hear the readings from the Bible from the Old and New Testament. Our Catholic Bible is read at each and every Catholic Mass everyday. Do you read your Bible at Church or is it for private use only? In the early church it was just stories about Jesus inspired by the Holy Spirit that were spoken at Mass, and yes it was Mass. The breaking of the Bread is Mass! We love Jesus profoundly and we do believe we receive him in Body and Soul at the Mass. I hope you will learn more about our Holy Catholic Church and come home and join us! Study the Church Fathers and you will see Jesus Christ already established his Church and it is the Catholic Church and we are the Christians that is spoken about in the Bible. May God’s Speed bring you to realize the truth in the Catholic Church!  You are in the right place to learn. Check out ewtn.com for more info and TV shows about our lovely Catholic Church. I’m sure you must want to learn and God is leading you or you wouldn’t be on a Catholic answers website learning more. Weather or not you may have realized it this may be where your heart is leading you. God’s speed!
God Bless,
Kelly

Thanking God everyday I’m a convert to the Catholic Church from Baptist.****

 

[The_Truthinator]

I have been reading my Bible, let me see, if I remember correcly, about forty years. I think I know what the Bible says about salvation.

Sir, I was raised Southern Baptist. I’m 13, and my realization—that many Baptist notions concerning salvation are, in fact, unbiblical—was one of my first steps towards the Catholic Faith. If you don’t mind me throwing some verses at you, I think these might help:

“See, then, the kindness and severity of God: severity toward those who fell, but God’s kindness to you, *provided *you remain in his kindness; otherwise you too will be cut off.” [Rom. 11:22]

This is perhaps the bluntest instance in Scripture where it is, in a word, said, “Persevere in his kindness, or perish.” For this reason, I placed it first.

“He has now reconciled in his fleshly body through his death, to present you holy, without blemish, and irreproachable before him, provided that you persevere in the faith, firmly grounded, stable, and not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard.” [Col. 1:22-23]

The second verse demonstrates salvation is conditional.

“Those on rocky ground are the ones who, when they hear, receive the word with joy, but they have no root; *they believe only for a time and fall away *in time of trial.” [Lk. 8:13]

This passage attests to the fact that one can believe and fall away. We see it happen every day.

“If we sin deliberately after receiving knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains sacrifice for sins but a fearful prospect of judgment and a flaming fire that is going to consume the adversaries.” [Heb. 10:26-27]

This one deals with mortal sins (intentional wrongdoing) after receiving the gospel: And the fate which awaits one who thusly transgresses the Almighty (for more on mortal sins, read 1 Jn 5).

“If they, having escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of (our) Lord and savior Jesus Christ, *again *become entangled and overcome by them, their last condition is worse than their first. For *it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment handed down to them. *What is expressed in the true proverb has happened to them, “The dog returns to its own vomit,” and "A bathed sow returns to wallowing in the mire.” [2 Pet. 2:20-22]

This Scripture reveals even after the regeneration of the Spirit through baptism, one can become “un-regenerated” again—a slave to sin once more.

“I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, *I myself should be disqualified.” *[1 Cor. 9:27]

Quite simple: Paul expresses concern regarding his eternal fate.

“I am not conscious of anything against me, but I do not thereby stand acquitted; the one who judges me is the Lord.” [1 Cor. 4:4]

Paul admits the possibility of being unjustified in the sight of God, despite his conscience which may suggest otherwise.

I hope these help!

Peace and Truth in Christ

 

[littlemamaof5]

Sir, I was raised Southern Baptist. I’m 13, and my realization—that many Baptist notions concerning salvation are, in fact, unbiblical—was one of my first steps towards the Catholic Faith. If you don’t mind me throwing some verses at you, I think these might help:

“See, then, the kindness and severity of God: severity toward those who fell, but God’s kindness to you, *provided *you remain in his kindness; otherwise you too will be cut off.” [Rom. 11:22]

This is perhaps the bluntest instance in Scripture where it is, in a word, said, “Persevere in his kindness, or perish.” For this reason, I placed it first.

“He has now reconciled in his fleshly body through his death, to present you holy, without blemish, and irreproachable before him, provided that you persevere in the faith, firmly grounded, stable, and not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard.” [Col. 1:22-23]

The second verse demonstrates salvation is conditional.

“Those on rocky ground are the ones who, when they hear, receive the word with joy, but they have no root; *they believe only for a time and fall away *in time of trial.” [Lk. 8:13]

This passage attests to the fact that one can believe and fall away. We see it happen every day.

“If we sin deliberately after receiving knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains sacrifice for sins but a fearful prospect of judgment and a flaming fire that is going to consume the adversaries.” [Heb. 10:26-27]

This one deals with mortal sins (intentional wrongdoing) after receiving the gospel: And the fate which awaits one who thusly transgresses the Almighty (for more on mortal sins, read 1 Jn 5).

“If they, having escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of (our) Lord and savior Jesus Christ, *again *become entangled and overcome by them, their last condition is worse than their first. For *it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment handed down to them. *What is expressed in the true proverb has happened to them, “The dog returns to its own vomit,” and "A bathed sow returns to wallowing in the mire.” [2 Pet. 2:20-22]

This Scripture reveals even after the regeneration of the Spirit through baptism, one can become “un-regenerated” again—a slave to sin once more.

“I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, *I myself should be disqualified.” *[1 Cor. 9:27]

Quite simple: Paul expresses concern regarding his eternal fate.

“I am not conscious of anything against me, but I do not thereby stand acquitted; the one who judges me is the Lord.” [1 Cor. 4:4]

Paul admits the possibility of being unjustified in the sight of God, despite his conscience which may suggest otherwise.

I hope these help!

Peace and Truth in Christ

RIGHT ON! Thanks for your response! I agree with you 100%. Good luck in your new found faith! Don’t let anyone tell you that just because you are young doesn’t mean you cannot hear and learn the TRUTH. God Bless you.
God Bless,
Kelly:thumbsup:

 

[Church_Militant]

Sir, I was raised Southern Baptist. I’m 13, and my realization—that many Baptist notions concerning salvation are, in fact, unbiblical—was one of my first steps towards the Catholic Faith. If you don’t mind me throwing some verses at you, I think these might help:

“See, then, the kindness and severity of God: severity toward those who fell, but God’s kindness to you, *provided *you remain in his kindness; otherwise you too will be cut off.” [Rom. 11:22]

This is perhaps the bluntest instance in Scripture where it is, in a word, said, “Persevere in his kindness, or perish.” For this reason, I placed it first.

“He has now reconciled in his fleshly body through his death, to present you holy, without blemish, and irreproachable before him, provided that you persevere in the faith, firmly grounded, stable, and not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard.” [Col. 1:22-23]

The second verse demonstrates salvation is conditional.

“Those on rocky ground are the ones who, when they hear, receive the word with joy, but they have no root; *they believe only for a time and fall away *in time of trial.” [Lk. 8:13]

This passage attests to the fact that one can believe and fall away. We see it happen every day.

“If we sin deliberately after receiving knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains sacrifice for sins but a fearful prospect of judgment and a flaming fire that is going to consume the adversaries.” [Heb. 10:26-27]

This one deals with mortal sins (intentional wrongdoing) after receiving the gospel: And the fate which awaits one who thusly transgresses the Almighty (for more on mortal sins, read 1 Jn 5).

“If they, having escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of (our) Lord and savior Jesus Christ, *again *become entangled and overcome by them, their last condition is worse than their first. For *it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment handed down to them. *What is expressed in the true proverb has happened to them, “The dog returns to its own vomit,” and "A bathed sow returns to wallowing in the mire.” [2 Pet. 2:20-22]

This Scripture reveals even after the regeneration of the Spirit through baptism, one can become “un-regenerated” again—a slave to sin once more.

“I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, *I myself should be disqualified.” *[1 Cor. 9:27]

Quite simple: Paul expresses concern regarding his eternal fate.

“I am not conscious of anything against me, but I do not thereby stand acquitted; the one who judges me is the Lord.” [1 Cor. 4:4]

Paul admits the possibility of being unjustified in the sight of God, despite his conscience which may suggest otherwise.

I hope these help!

Peace and Truth in Christ

Wow! :clapping: :clapping: :clapping:

 

[larryhc]

I just want to tell you that this kind of thinking is against what Our Lord teaches us in Our Catholic Bible (which is also where your Bible came from the Latin Vulgate was translated for your church) so you do use a Catholic Bible except for Martin Luther taking out 7 books when he disagreed with the Pope. That’s another subject but about confession refer to John20: 22-23"When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again,” Peace be with you, as the father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “** RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT. IF YOU FORGIVE THE SINS OF ANY, THEY ARE FORGIVEN; IF YOU RETAIN THE SINS OF ANY, THEY ARE RETAINED.”
** Now are you a Bible only Christian is that right? Well can you tell me with all due respect why the Bible says that and you don’t take what Our Lord said to the Apostles of the Church to be literal and correct? Our Lord gave them the authority to forgive sins in Confession and this is why we confess our sins to a Catholic Priest. The apostles laid hands on them and made new Catholic Bishops at the time and then these Bishops made Catholic priest to help them and we can trace our church all the way back to Peter and Peter was Our first Pope to whom Jesus said in Matt 16:18 YOU ARE ROCK and on this ROCK I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH! We can date Our Bible AND our CHURCH all the way back to Jesus. Can you do this? Who founded your church and why did he leave the Catholic Church? On another note about the Bible. When the early Christians went to church to hear the word of God it was only read to them in the Old Testament. There was no new testament even written at that time. The early Christians were Catholic and they didn’t need a Bible because when we go to Mass we hear the readings from the Bible from the Old and New Testament. Our Catholic Bible is read at each and every Catholic Mass everyday. Do you read your Bible at Church or is it for private use only? In the early church it was just stories about Jesus inspired by the Holy Spirit that were spoken at Mass, and yes it was Mass. The breaking of the Bread is Mass! We love Jesus profoundly and we do believe we receive him in Body and Soul at the Mass. I hope you will learn more about our Holy Catholic Church and come home and join us! Study the Church Fathers and you will see Jesus Christ already established his Church and it is the Catholic Church and we are the Christians that is spoken about in the Bible. May God’s Speed bring you to realize the truth in the Catholic Church!  You are in the right place to learn. Check out ewtn.com for more info and TV shows about our lovely Catholic Church. I’m sure you must want to learn and God is leading you or you wouldn’t be on a Catholic answers website learning more. Weather or not you may have realized it this may be where your heart is leading you. God’s speed!
God Bless,
Kelly

Thanking God everyday I’m a convert to the Catholic Church from Baptist.****

Thank God for converts like you Kelly and thank you for your beautiful sharing

 

[allischalmers]

So alli, I have the same questions for you as I posed to shane above. Please read my post to shane above and if you could answer my inquiries I would greatly appreciate it. So are you dispensational as well? Do you strive to follow the sermon on the mount and all of Jesus other words about, “IF YOU DO THIS” you’ll be saved? What do you think about the situation of the guy I witnessed at work and church? (in the above post to shane).

I am not a fan of dispensationalism and just like you (I hope) I strive to follow the sermon on the mount and all the words of God’s give Word.

 

[dawid]

Given the grace of God through the Holy Spirit, we can repent, return to Him and ask forgiveness.
It seems you are a Catholic!

 

[ElizabethPH]

Sir, I was raised Southern Baptist. I’m 13, and my realization—that many Baptist notions concerning salvation are, in fact, unbiblical—was one of my first steps towards the Catholic Faith. If you don’t mind me throwing some verses at you, I think these might help:

“See, then, the kindness and severity of God: severity toward those who fell, but God’s kindness to you, *provided *you remain in his kindness; otherwise you too will be cut off.” [Rom. 11:22]

This is perhaps the bluntest instance in Scripture where it is, in a word, said, “Persevere in his kindness, or perish.” For this reason, I placed it first.

“He has now reconciled in his fleshly body through his death, to present you holy, without blemish, and irreproachable before him, provided that you persevere in the faith, firmly grounded, stable, and not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard.” [Col. 1:22-23]

The second verse demonstrates salvation is conditional.

“Those on rocky ground are the ones who, when they hear, receive the word with joy, but they have no root; *they believe only for a time and fall away *in time of trial.” [Lk. 8:13]

This passage attests to the fact that one can believe and fall away. We see it happen every day.

“If we sin deliberately after receiving knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains sacrifice for sins but a fearful prospect of judgment and a flaming fire that is going to consume the adversaries.” [Heb. 10:26-27]

This one deals with mortal sins (intentional wrongdoing) after receiving the gospel: And the fate which awaits one who thusly transgresses the Almighty (for more on mortal sins, read 1 Jn 5).

“If they, having escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of (our) Lord and savior Jesus Christ, *again *become entangled and overcome by them, their last condition is worse than their first. For *it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment handed down to them. *What is expressed in the true proverb has happened to them, “The dog returns to its own vomit,” and "A bathed sow returns to wallowing in the mire.” [2 Pet. 2:20-22]

This Scripture reveals even after the regeneration of the Spirit through baptism, one can become “un-regenerated” again—a slave to sin once more.

“I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, *I myself should be disqualified.” *[1 Cor. 9:27]

Quite simple: Paul expresses concern regarding his eternal fate.

“I am not conscious of anything against me, but I do not thereby stand acquitted; the one who judges me is the Lord.” [1 Cor. 4:4]

Paul admits the possibility of being unjustified in the sight of God, despite his conscience which may suggest otherwise.

I hope these help!

Peace and Truth in Christ

Wow I’m amazed! You don’t sound like any 13 year old I’ve ever met! Good on you! I can only pray to be able to express myself as well; and I’m old enough to be your grandmother