The law of the Spirit, is the commandment to believe in Christ, for through faith a person takes possession of the Spirit of promise, in the form of the earnest of the inheritance. Observance of the law of the Spirit, is to follow, obey, and conform to the guidance of the Spirit, not grieving or quenching it. Looking forward to Romans 8:5, it is to think like the Spirit, always attentive to the things of God.
To believe, our faith must include the observance of the law, or else our faith is dead, worthless, and unfruitful. Yet, by our faith, we are freed from the law. This is true, because faith is not produced, through the observance of the law, but rather, the law is observed through faith. The works of the law are burdensome, when performing them in order to obtain a reward. But, if we have confidence that we have already obtained the greatest reward, and observe the law out of love, respect, honor, and gratitude, then the law is obeserved without effort or desire, and the burden is almost nonexistant (Matthew 11:30). And for doing that which seems to be effortless, God is faithful to reward.
Romans 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
 |
Buried with Christ into death, so that we might be raised to life. (Romans 6) |
 |
| Regeneration Born of Water Eating His flesh Live Forever Solely By Grace |
I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; AND he that believeth on me shall never thirst. (John 6:35) |
Conversion Born of Spirit Drinking His blood Hath Eternal Life By Faith & Works |
| Except a man be born of water AND of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5) |
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
The regenerate, who have turned to righteousness and have received the Holy Ghost of promise, are no longer under the condemnation, in which they find themselves, when attempting to observe the law to gain righteousness, as described in Galatians 3:10. This is the state which Paul describes in the later part of chapter 7.
Here Paul describes those who have been freed from the law, by converting to righteousness and following after the Spirit.
I have listened to many preachers who preach awesome sermons on the latter part of Romans 7, but then turn elsewhere for the answer to Pauls dilemma. When that happens, it becomes obvious that they do not properly understand Romans 8.
Condemnation - to express an unfavorable or adverse judgment on; to pronounce to be guilty; to judge or pronounce to be unfit for use or service.
Are these not descriptive of what Paul described in Romans 7? Was he not passing judgment upon himself, based upon his own ability to fulfill the law? Was he not determining his own guilt, when he desired to do good, but saw that he could only do that which was evil? Did he not profess to have been brought into the captivity of the law of sin, which was in his members?
He saw himself to be a wretched man. And the only way a person can be free from such a wretched man, is through the power of the Holy Ghost. This is only possible, through the gift of the promise of the Holy Ghost, provided by inheritance (Ephesians 1:11) to each regenerate man, but possessed (Ephesians 1:14) only through faith and conversion.
Here Paul describes those who have been freed from the law, by converting to righteousness and following after the Spirit.
I have listened to many preachers who preach awesome sermons on the latter part of Romans 7, but then turn elsewhere for the answer to Pauls dilemma. When that happens, it becomes obvious that they do not properly understand Romans 8.
Condemnation - to express an unfavorable or adverse judgment on; to pronounce to be guilty; to judge or pronounce to be unfit for use or service.
Are these not descriptive of what Paul described in Romans 7? Was he not passing judgment upon himself, based upon his own ability to fulfill the law? Was he not determining his own guilt, when he desired to do good, but saw that he could only do that which was evil? Did he not profess to have been brought into the captivity of the law of sin, which was in his members?
He saw himself to be a wretched man. And the only way a person can be free from such a wretched man, is through the power of the Holy Ghost. This is only possible, through the gift of the promise of the Holy Ghost, provided by inheritance (Ephesians 1:11) to each regenerate man, but possessed (Ephesians 1:14) only through faith and conversion.
Ephesians 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
Christ only dwells in our hearts through faith (John 14:18, John 14:20, John 14:21). Faith, without works is dead, or rather worthless. A persons is not saved by merely understanding, or being persuaded, that Jesus is the Christ. As Jesus sets forth in John 14, a person must love Him and must keep His commandments. If a person looses faith, turns back to the world, our returns to disobedience, Christ will not continue to dwell in such filth.
Ephesians 3:18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what [is] the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
The love of God is so huge. It is far reaching and towers over us. It is far greater than anything we will ever be able to fully comprehend in this mortal life. But, to even begin to comprehend it, we must be given the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38), which reveals these great truths to us (1 Corinthians 2:10, John 14:26, Hebrews 6:4).
There are four aspects to Gods love for His chosen people. It has length, width, and depth, which are obvious measurements of obejcts of mass, that we use every day. The fourth apsect is also a measurement of every day objects. That measurement is endurance, or how long it will last. This apsect of Gods love, like the other three aspects, is also beyond our ability to fully comprehend in this life.
Even though, it is by the gift of the Holy Ghost, that we are able to know the things of God, we are limited in our knowledge, by our ability to comprehend what the Spirit reveals to us. We must be open to the teachings of the Holy Ghost, and at the same time gaurd ourselves against imaginations of the carnal mind.
There are four aspects to Gods love for His chosen people. It has length, width, and depth, which are obvious measurements of obejcts of mass, that we use every day. The fourth apsect is also a measurement of every day objects. That measurement is endurance, or how long it will last. This apsect of Gods love, like the other three aspects, is also beyond our ability to fully comprehend in this life.
Even though, it is by the gift of the Holy Ghost, that we are able to know the things of God, we are limited in our knowledge, by our ability to comprehend what the Spirit reveals to us. We must be open to the teachings of the Holy Ghost, and at the same time gaurd ourselves against imaginations of the carnal mind.
Ephesians 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
Even though God allows mans free will to make the choice to convert and believe in Christ Jesus, He must still grant you that privilege. But, do not use this as an excuse as to why you fail to do so, for He is faithful to grant the priviledge according to His promise, and the power to overcome and tear down strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4, Nahum 3:12).
Pray for yourself, as Paul prayed for the Ephesians, "to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man".
Pray for yourself, as Paul prayed for the Ephesians, "to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man".
Ephesians 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
In the Old Testament, the nation of Israel placed their faith in God, but because they had God in the world in a physical form, which they could witness, and because they had the Holy Spirit, within the inner sanctuary, they did not receive the Holy Ghost which is given under the New Testament by faith in Christ. Although, a few chosen Kings and Prophets did recieve it, it was not generally given (John 7:39) to the regenerate children of God, whether Jew or Gentile. This is why the Gentiles of the Old Testament were without God in the world and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope.
Romans 11:5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
The "election of grace" is not the same as the election of God, which was before the foundations of the world. The context of this passage suggests an election by obedience. Recently, it occurred to me what Paul was actually saying.
In verses 14 – 16, Paul comments that there is a possibility of this group being provoked into becoming a part of this remnant, a sure sign this election take place in the present. In verse 16, he indicates that they are Holy, being part of the same lump as the firstfruit, partaking of the root. He describes them as the branches which were removed, which once were partakers of the same root that this remnant now partakes. Therefore, this is a choosing, or an act of picking out, performed by grace.
How does grace pick and chose?
It chooses those who are able to humble themselves and believe the gospel. It chooses those who seek for deliverance. Of such a people, Jesus spoke in Matthew 5 when He said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed [are] they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." and so on. The gospel is not for the rich, for it is a very difficult thing for them. It is for those who see themselves in need of a physician. For this reason only a remnant will be saved presently.
1 Corinthians 1:21 & 27 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe… But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
I found the following in the "A Welsh Succession of Primitive Baptist Faith and Practice".
"There has been all along the blood-tinged ages of martyrdom an uninterrupted preservation of the primitive creed and ritual of the church of the Pentecost, so signally inaugurated in the upper room in Jerusalem. There is no missing link in this celestial chain from age to age of the remnant according to the election of grace."
In verses 14 – 16, Paul comments that there is a possibility of this group being provoked into becoming a part of this remnant, a sure sign this election take place in the present. In verse 16, he indicates that they are Holy, being part of the same lump as the firstfruit, partaking of the root. He describes them as the branches which were removed, which once were partakers of the same root that this remnant now partakes. Therefore, this is a choosing, or an act of picking out, performed by grace.
How does grace pick and chose?
It chooses those who are able to humble themselves and believe the gospel. It chooses those who seek for deliverance. Of such a people, Jesus spoke in Matthew 5 when He said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed [are] they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." and so on. The gospel is not for the rich, for it is a very difficult thing for them. It is for those who see themselves in need of a physician. For this reason only a remnant will be saved presently.
1 Corinthians 1:21 & 27 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe… But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
I found the following in the "A Welsh Succession of Primitive Baptist Faith and Practice".
"There has been all along the blood-tinged ages of martyrdom an uninterrupted preservation of the primitive creed and ritual of the church of the Pentecost, so signally inaugurated in the upper room in Jerusalem. There is no missing link in this celestial chain from age to age of the remnant according to the election of grace."
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new kind of person, he is uncommon, his behavior has changed, he is established upon a firm foundation, his priorities have changed, he no longer lives for himself, but for Christ, the old man being subdued; observe, many things about him are different. (Personal Translation)
Therefore, if a man has converted to Christ, he is a new person. He will be different than he was before having noticeable changes in his character. He will be established, unlike before, desiring to be a good and faithful servant. When a person is regenerated, he does not immediately manifest the internal change that occurs during regeneration. The person is not even aware of this change until the new man begins to war against the old man. It is not until the person chooses to convert from his sinful ways and live his life in accordance with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, that he is considered to be a new creature. If the person has truly converted, he has put away that which was of the natural and has taken hold of the new which is spiritual (John 3:6). He has begun subduing the old man and its control over him, allowing the new to take the lead. He has become a new person, and according to scripture, has set himself apart from those of unrighteousness, is consider to be a peculiar type of person, and a member of the royal priesthood of God.
Related passages:
John 3:6
Ephesians 4:22
Exodus 19:5
Deuteronomy 14:2
Titus 2:14
1 Peter 2:9
Therefore, if a man has converted to Christ, he is a new person. He will be different than he was before having noticeable changes in his character. He will be established, unlike before, desiring to be a good and faithful servant. When a person is regenerated, he does not immediately manifest the internal change that occurs during regeneration. The person is not even aware of this change until the new man begins to war against the old man. It is not until the person chooses to convert from his sinful ways and live his life in accordance with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, that he is considered to be a new creature. If the person has truly converted, he has put away that which was of the natural and has taken hold of the new which is spiritual (John 3:6). He has begun subduing the old man and its control over him, allowing the new to take the lead. He has become a new person, and according to scripture, has set himself apart from those of unrighteousness, is consider to be a peculiar type of person, and a member of the royal priesthood of God.
Related passages:
John 3:6
Ephesians 4:22
Exodus 19:5
Deuteronomy 14:2
Titus 2:14
1 Peter 2:9
2 Corinthians 5:16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we [him] no more.
For that reason, from this point forward, we cannot differentiate the regenerate from the rest, when they live according to their carnal nature: nevertheless, we can distinguish Christ according to ones behavior, yet from now on we cannot distinguish Christ any further. (Personal Translation)
Because the regenerate can be in either of these two conditions - unconverted or converted, it is impossible to know if a person is regenerated by observing his behavior, if he has not yet converted to living for Christ. He may not exhibit any characteristics, or he may only exhibit a few characteristics, that could be discerned as one converted. Therefore we can only know that a person is regenerate when he manifests Christ like characteristics, and not by any other means.
Because the regenerate can be in either of these two conditions - unconverted or converted, it is impossible to know if a person is regenerated by observing his behavior, if he has not yet converted to living for Christ. He may not exhibit any characteristics, or he may only exhibit a few characteristics, that could be discerned as one converted. Therefore we can only know that a person is regenerate when he manifests Christ like characteristics, and not by any other means.
2 Corinthians 5:15 And [that] he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
And [that] he died for all, that they which live (Greek "zao" meaning "are efficacious" – they which have the capacity to live) should not henceforth live (manner of life) unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
And because He died for all his people, those which are efficacious (have the capacity to live) should not hereafter continue a manner of life which is for their own purpose, but instead for the purpose of him which died for them, and rose again. (Personal Translation)
When a person is regenerated he is given the capacity to comprehend spiritual things. In this passage, Paul builds upon that truth, teaching that this type of person should not continue living for himself, like he did before regeneration. Instead, the regenerate person should exercise this new capability to live his life in accordance with the purpose of Christ.
Related passages:
Colossians 1:12
And because He died for all his people, those which are efficacious (have the capacity to live) should not hereafter continue a manner of life which is for their own purpose, but instead for the purpose of him which died for them, and rose again. (Personal Translation)
When a person is regenerated he is given the capacity to comprehend spiritual things. In this passage, Paul builds upon that truth, teaching that this type of person should not continue living for himself, like he did before regeneration. Instead, the regenerate person should exercise this new capability to live his life in accordance with the purpose of Christ.
Related passages:
Colossians 1:12
1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
Christ suffered one time, a single act for all of whom He was the sacrificial offering, the righteous for the unrighteous; the innocent for the guilty. "Once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself". "Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many", for if this were not true, then "must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world", each time a person believed and converted.
But Christ did not die for the believers, nor did He die only for those who have become children of God since His death. But instead, He died for all of God’s chosen, since the beginning of time unto the last day. Once for all He died, but not for all of mankind. He was "put to death in the flesh", so that "we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Yes, sanctified - to purify by expiation: free from the guilt of sin -through His death, one time forever more, and not through our faith! "For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified". Then after three days in the grave, He was "quickened by the Spirit".
Three days separate His death from His resurrection. These are two different events, each one bearing its’ own significance and accomplishing different things. By His death, we have been purified and freed from the guilt of sin. By His resurrection, death has been swallowed up in victory, for under the Old Testament, death reigned. But now, "a new and living way" has been made possible. Also by His death, He tore down the veil that separated the first tabernacle from the second. Under the Old Testament "the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God". The priests, which were a shadow of the body of believers, accomplished the service of God, void of the Holy Spirit, "for the Holy Ghost was not yet given", "the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest". But of the New Testament, which was to come, Jesus "spake of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive". And now under the new covenant, by our faith, we enter into this "new and living way". For now, "after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory". "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh".
In the Old Testament, God dwelled among a chosen nation of His elect, in the Tabernacle made with hands.
Leviticus 26:3 & 11 "If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them… I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you…"
Deuteronomy 4:30-31 But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find [him], if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (For the LORD thy God is] a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.
In the New Testament, God dwells among the believers of His elect, in the tabernacle not made with hands – this is the Holy Spirit of promise.
John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
"Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?"
But Christ did not die for the believers, nor did He die only for those who have become children of God since His death. But instead, He died for all of God’s chosen, since the beginning of time unto the last day. Once for all He died, but not for all of mankind. He was "put to death in the flesh", so that "we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Yes, sanctified - to purify by expiation: free from the guilt of sin -through His death, one time forever more, and not through our faith! "For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified". Then after three days in the grave, He was "quickened by the Spirit".
Three days separate His death from His resurrection. These are two different events, each one bearing its’ own significance and accomplishing different things. By His death, we have been purified and freed from the guilt of sin. By His resurrection, death has been swallowed up in victory, for under the Old Testament, death reigned. But now, "a new and living way" has been made possible. Also by His death, He tore down the veil that separated the first tabernacle from the second. Under the Old Testament "the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God". The priests, which were a shadow of the body of believers, accomplished the service of God, void of the Holy Spirit, "for the Holy Ghost was not yet given", "the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest". But of the New Testament, which was to come, Jesus "spake of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive". And now under the new covenant, by our faith, we enter into this "new and living way". For now, "after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory". "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh".
In the Old Testament, God dwelled among a chosen nation of His elect, in the Tabernacle made with hands.
Leviticus 26:3 & 11 "If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them… I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you…"
Deuteronomy 4:30-31 But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find [him], if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (For the LORD thy God is] a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.
In the New Testament, God dwells among the believers of His elect, in the tabernacle not made with hands – this is the Holy Spirit of promise.
John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
"Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?"
The Regenerate - Converted Defined
Having obtained the inheritance of eternal life at regeneration (Ephesians 1:11), the converted take current possession (Matthew 19:16, John 3:15) of eternal life, by way of the earnest (Ephesians 1:14).
The converted receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38), the Comforter (John 14:16, John 14:26), the earnest of thier inheritance (Ephesians 1:14). And are partakers of the first resurrection (Revelation 20:5, Revelation 20:6).
They have escaped the condemnation of the carnal man (John 3:18), and have chosen to walk after the Spirit (Romans 8:1), rather than fulfill the desires of the flesh (Ephesians 2:3). They have chosen to mind the things of the Spirit, rather than the desires of the flesh (Romans 8:5). Rather than remaining in the 2nd Death, they have been resurrected to life (Romans 6:4) through the Spirit (Romans 8:13).
Having been born of water, they have now also been born of the Spirit (John 3:5). Or, as John puts it in his first epistle, born of God (1 John 5:4, 1 John 5:18). This new birth of the Spirit is the indwelling of Christ within (John 14:17, John 14:20, John 14:23). The person has freely chosen to love the Lord, and to obey His commandments (John 14:21). By doing so, he has become a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 6:15). He has put away his former life of unrighteousness, for which the wages were death (Romans 6:23), and has yielded himself a servant of righteousness (Romans 6:16) unto obedeince unto God.
Having converted, being quickened by the Spirit (John 5:21, John 6:63, Romans 8:11, Ephesians 2:1), to walk after the Spirit, the person has ceased from sin (1 John 3:9, 1 John 5;18), and has found the victory to overcome the world (1 John 5:4).
The converted receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38), the Comforter (John 14:16, John 14:26), the earnest of thier inheritance (Ephesians 1:14). And are partakers of the first resurrection (Revelation 20:5, Revelation 20:6).
They have escaped the condemnation of the carnal man (John 3:18), and have chosen to walk after the Spirit (Romans 8:1), rather than fulfill the desires of the flesh (Ephesians 2:3). They have chosen to mind the things of the Spirit, rather than the desires of the flesh (Romans 8:5). Rather than remaining in the 2nd Death, they have been resurrected to life (Romans 6:4) through the Spirit (Romans 8:13).
Having been born of water, they have now also been born of the Spirit (John 3:5). Or, as John puts it in his first epistle, born of God (1 John 5:4, 1 John 5:18). This new birth of the Spirit is the indwelling of Christ within (John 14:17, John 14:20, John 14:23). The person has freely chosen to love the Lord, and to obey His commandments (John 14:21). By doing so, he has become a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 6:15). He has put away his former life of unrighteousness, for which the wages were death (Romans 6:23), and has yielded himself a servant of righteousness (Romans 6:16) unto obedeince unto God.
Having converted, being quickened by the Spirit (John 5:21, John 6:63, Romans 8:11, Ephesians 2:1), to walk after the Spirit, the person has ceased from sin (1 John 3:9, 1 John 5;18), and has found the victory to overcome the world (1 John 5:4).
The Foreknowledge of God
Foreknowledge - the knowledge of something before it exists or happens.
This definition can be understood from two different perspectives, and only one is correct, as it pertains to Gods foreknowledge.
From one perspective, God could have looked into the future and chosen a person based upon the persons actions. But, if this was correct, then God would have been a respector of persons. Anything given to the person, as a result of his actions, would have been a debt, rather than a freely given gift.
From the other perspective, God could have predetermined a particular end. This is the proper perspective.
Scriptures states, "God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation" (2 Thessalonians 2:13). He did this so that the person might believe. In other words, God predetermined that each of His elect would be "made meet", or rather enabled (Colossians 1:12), that they might be sanctified by the Spirit and believe in the truth. He did this, "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will" (Ephesians 1:5). God predetermined that His chosen would be regenerated, so that they might freely choose to convert (Ephesians 2:10).
Giving consideration to Acts 2:23, if God's foreknowledge was according to the first perspective above, then that would be to say, God looked into the future the see if Christ would be crucified to allow Him to determine if He could save His people. Sorry, I don't think this is the proper perspective of foreknowledge.
Just remember, NO person, by his own power, can obtain salvation by faith, or by any other means, no matter how much he may desire to do so (Romans 9:15,Romans 9:16, Romans 9:18). It is only possible, if God shows mercy unto the person. It is only possible, if God first enables the person (Colossians 1:12, John 6:65). It is only possible, if God first draws the person (John 6:44, John 6:65), or rather translates the person (Colossians 1:13).
This definition can be understood from two different perspectives, and only one is correct, as it pertains to Gods foreknowledge.
From one perspective, God could have looked into the future and chosen a person based upon the persons actions. But, if this was correct, then God would have been a respector of persons. Anything given to the person, as a result of his actions, would have been a debt, rather than a freely given gift.
From the other perspective, God could have predetermined a particular end. This is the proper perspective.
Scriptures states, "God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation" (2 Thessalonians 2:13). He did this so that the person might believe. In other words, God predetermined that each of His elect would be "made meet", or rather enabled (Colossians 1:12), that they might be sanctified by the Spirit and believe in the truth. He did this, "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will" (Ephesians 1:5). God predetermined that His chosen would be regenerated, so that they might freely choose to convert (Ephesians 2:10).
Giving consideration to Acts 2:23, if God's foreknowledge was according to the first perspective above, then that would be to say, God looked into the future the see if Christ would be crucified to allow Him to determine if He could save His people. Sorry, I don't think this is the proper perspective of foreknowledge.
Just remember, NO person, by his own power, can obtain salvation by faith, or by any other means, no matter how much he may desire to do so (Romans 9:15,Romans 9:16, Romans 9:18). It is only possible, if God shows mercy unto the person. It is only possible, if God first enables the person (Colossians 1:12, John 6:65). It is only possible, if God first draws the person (John 6:44, John 6:65), or rather translates the person (Colossians 1:13).
The Regenerate - Unconverted Defined
All of God's elect children are buried with Christ into death, as Paul describes regeneration in Romans 6. This is true, because there is no immediate knowledge of regeneration. The person continues his life here on earth just as he did the day before, unconverted, in disobedience to God, in love with darkness. However, now he is doing these things freely, yielding himself a servant of sin.
The regenerate unconverted disobedient person is now able to believe in a god, and is subject to being mislead to idols and false gods. Having now a new second spiritual nature, the person is able to hear and understand the gospel. According to 1 Corinthians 2:11, the old carnal man can only know and understand carnal things. But God is spiritual, and to know or understand spiritual things, a person requires the spiritual nature to reveal such things to him. We are given this new spiritual nature at regeneration "that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God".
The regenerate unconverted are filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, and unmerciful.
This is grace without works, unmerited, unwarranted, undeserved.
The regenerate unconverted disobedient person is now able to believe in a god, and is subject to being mislead to idols and false gods. Having now a new second spiritual nature, the person is able to hear and understand the gospel. According to 1 Corinthians 2:11, the old carnal man can only know and understand carnal things. But God is spiritual, and to know or understand spiritual things, a person requires the spiritual nature to reveal such things to him. We are given this new spiritual nature at regeneration "that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God".
The regenerate unconverted are filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, and unmerciful.
This is grace without works, unmerited, unwarranted, undeserved.
The Regenerate Man Defined
Regeneration occurs at the time appointed by the Father. It will occur some time between conception and physical death. When it occurs, the person will be completely unaware that any change has taken place.
This is referred to, by Jesus in John 6:44, as the drawing of God the Father and by Paul, in Colossians 1:13, as being translated.
With this change, the person aquires a new second nature. The first nature, the carnal nature, is loosed from total domination and control over the person. In Romans 6:6, Paul describes this as the old man being crucified. I like to describe it as when Paul and Silas were in prison and the earthquake shook the foundations of the prison and "immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed". Despite the doors being opened and their bands loosed, Paul and Sila remained in thier prison cells. At regeneration, the cell doors are opened and the bands are loosed, and the person is free to turn away from, or convert from, the power of the carnal man. But, he is not yet aware that this has happened. He has not yet discovered how to even do this. Because of this, the person will continue to be over powered and controlled by the former carnal nature, unknowingly and freely yielding himself to it (Romans 6:16).
Only after regeneration, is it possible for the person to hear the gospel. As Jesus said, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit". When the gospel is heard, the way out of the prison is made manifest. Now, it is up to the person to choose how to exercise his free will. He will either choose to continue being lead by the carnal man, or he will trust in the gospel message and use the gift of the Holy Spirit to subdue the carnal man.
With regeneration, the person has been adopted and recieved as a child of God (Hebrews 12:6). As with any family, you have two basic types, although there are many varying degrees between the two. A child will be either obedient or disobedient. He will either do all that is possible to please the Father, or he will hate the Father and be rebellious toward Him, or be at some varying degree between these two extremes.
Having now been adopted as a child, the person is subject to the laws of God and His chastening. As revealed in Hebrews 12, God chastens His children in hopes that they might be exercised by it and yield the fruits of righteousness.
Having now obtained the inheritance of Eternal Life (Ephesians 1:11), the person, regardless of works (the required works of God), will live forever (John 6:51) with Christ in immortal heaven.
These are the elect of God, for whom Christ died. This is true grace, undeserved, unmerited, unwarranted, without any works, including that of faith. They are numbered as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore, innumerable. From these a remnant shall be presently saved.
This is referred to, by Jesus in John 6:44, as the drawing of God the Father and by Paul, in Colossians 1:13, as being translated.
With this change, the person aquires a new second nature. The first nature, the carnal nature, is loosed from total domination and control over the person. In Romans 6:6, Paul describes this as the old man being crucified. I like to describe it as when Paul and Silas were in prison and the earthquake shook the foundations of the prison and "immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed". Despite the doors being opened and their bands loosed, Paul and Sila remained in thier prison cells. At regeneration, the cell doors are opened and the bands are loosed, and the person is free to turn away from, or convert from, the power of the carnal man. But, he is not yet aware that this has happened. He has not yet discovered how to even do this. Because of this, the person will continue to be over powered and controlled by the former carnal nature, unknowingly and freely yielding himself to it (Romans 6:16).
Only after regeneration, is it possible for the person to hear the gospel. As Jesus said, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit". When the gospel is heard, the way out of the prison is made manifest. Now, it is up to the person to choose how to exercise his free will. He will either choose to continue being lead by the carnal man, or he will trust in the gospel message and use the gift of the Holy Spirit to subdue the carnal man.
With regeneration, the person has been adopted and recieved as a child of God (Hebrews 12:6). As with any family, you have two basic types, although there are many varying degrees between the two. A child will be either obedient or disobedient. He will either do all that is possible to please the Father, or he will hate the Father and be rebellious toward Him, or be at some varying degree between these two extremes.
Having now been adopted as a child, the person is subject to the laws of God and His chastening. As revealed in Hebrews 12, God chastens His children in hopes that they might be exercised by it and yield the fruits of righteousness.
Having now obtained the inheritance of Eternal Life (Ephesians 1:11), the person, regardless of works (the required works of God), will live forever (John 6:51) with Christ in immortal heaven.
These are the elect of God, for whom Christ died. This is true grace, undeserved, unmerited, unwarranted, without any works, including that of faith. They are numbered as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore, innumerable. From these a remnant shall be presently saved.
First (1st) and Second (2nd) Death
1st Death
The first death is a spiritual death. This is greatest death which "surely" (Genesis 2:17) came upon all mankind as a result of Adams trangression. This death was passed from Adam to Seth (Genesis 5:3) and to all mankind (Romans 5:12, Romans 5:18). It is often referred to as the carnal man, which has total domination over every human being until regeneration. Only regeneration can loosen the carnal man from this total domination (Romans 6:6, Colossians 1:12).
2nd Death
After regeneration, a person has two natures, both the old carnal man, which remains, and a new spiritual man. Although the carnal man has been loosed (Romans 6:6) from total domination, it remains in total control, until the person learns how to use the gift of God to subdue him. According to Romans 6:16, from the time of regeneration until conversion, the person is willfully yielding himself to the control of the carnal man. The control and influences of the carnal man can only be subdued through the power of the new spiritual man (Romans 8:13).
Therefore, the regenerate unconverted man is referred to in scriptures as being dead, because he is yielding himself to the control and influence of the carnal man. (Matthew 8:22, Matthew 23:27, Romans 8:13, John 5:25, John 11:25, Romans 6:4, Romans 6:7, Romans 11:15, 1 Corinthians 15:29, Ephesians 2:1, Ephesians 5:14, 1 Timothy 5:6, and many more). More often than not, references to the dead are those of the second death.
It is only from the second death that a person can take part in the 1st Resurrection.
The first death is a spiritual death. This is greatest death which "surely" (Genesis 2:17) came upon all mankind as a result of Adams trangression. This death was passed from Adam to Seth (Genesis 5:3) and to all mankind (Romans 5:12, Romans 5:18). It is often referred to as the carnal man, which has total domination over every human being until regeneration. Only regeneration can loosen the carnal man from this total domination (Romans 6:6, Colossians 1:12).
2nd Death
After regeneration, a person has two natures, both the old carnal man, which remains, and a new spiritual man. Although the carnal man has been loosed (Romans 6:6) from total domination, it remains in total control, until the person learns how to use the gift of God to subdue him. According to Romans 6:16, from the time of regeneration until conversion, the person is willfully yielding himself to the control of the carnal man. The control and influences of the carnal man can only be subdued through the power of the new spiritual man (Romans 8:13).
Therefore, the regenerate unconverted man is referred to in scriptures as being dead, because he is yielding himself to the control and influence of the carnal man. (Matthew 8:22, Matthew 23:27, Romans 8:13, John 5:25, John 11:25, Romans 6:4, Romans 6:7, Romans 11:15, 1 Corinthians 15:29, Ephesians 2:1, Ephesians 5:14, 1 Timothy 5:6, and many more). More often than not, references to the dead are those of the second death.
It is only from the second death that a person can take part in the 1st Resurrection.
Baptism
There are three (3) baptisms referred to in scripture.
1.The first, and least taught, baptism takes place at regeneration. It is a spiritual cleansing and is the same as the "washing of regeneration" referred to by Paul in Titus 3:5 and the same as being "born of water" referred to by Jesus in John 3:5. Paul uses this metaphor in Romans 6:3-4.
2.The baptism of the Holy Spirit can occur next, or after water baptism for church membership.
3.Water baptism can occur before the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, or after. But, neither can occur before the washing of regeneration.
A shadow of baptism can be found in the Old Testament and the washing of the Levites.
1.The first, and least taught, baptism takes place at regeneration. It is a spiritual cleansing and is the same as the "washing of regeneration" referred to by Paul in Titus 3:5 and the same as being "born of water" referred to by Jesus in John 3:5. Paul uses this metaphor in Romans 6:3-4.
2.The baptism of the Holy Spirit can occur next, or after water baptism for church membership.
3.Water baptism can occur before the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, or after. But, neither can occur before the washing of regeneration.
A shadow of baptism can be found in the Old Testament and the washing of the Levites.
Adoption of Gods Elect
Every elect person of God will be adopted as a child, at the time determined by the Father. This occurs during regeneration, without any knowledge by the person. Every adopted child begins in disobedience and is chastened of the Father. Those, who are exercised by the Fathers chastening, then freely choose to convert to a new and living way yielding the fruits of righteousness. (Ephesians 1:5, Hebrews 12:6,11)
1 John 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
The seed referred to here is the seed of Abraham, which is Christ. The seed is the Comforter, which is only obtained through obedience (John 14:15-16). Christ, in the form of the Comforter, dwells only within the obedient (John 14:17, 23). Therefore, being born of God is the same as being born of the Spirit, and is referring to conversion, not regeneration.
We all sin, even the converted, but there is a difference. The converted have realized thier sin. They have submitted themselves to the Father (Hebrews 12:9), seperating themselves from the rest of the world. They not only realize thier sin, but they confess thier sins to God, and God is faithful to forgive them of thier sins. Therefore, they no longer commit sin.
We should also consider Galatians 5:16-18. When a person is subduing the old man, by putting on the new man, he has ceased from sin.
Peter further states that a man has ceased from sin when, "he no longer should live the rest of [his] time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God".
Related passages:
John 14:15-16
John 14:17, 23
Hebrews 12:9
Galatians 5:16-18
1 Peter 4:2
We all sin, even the converted, but there is a difference. The converted have realized thier sin. They have submitted themselves to the Father (Hebrews 12:9), seperating themselves from the rest of the world. They not only realize thier sin, but they confess thier sins to God, and God is faithful to forgive them of thier sins. Therefore, they no longer commit sin.
We should also consider Galatians 5:16-18. When a person is subduing the old man, by putting on the new man, he has ceased from sin.
Peter further states that a man has ceased from sin when, "he no longer should live the rest of [his] time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God".
Related passages:
John 14:15-16
John 14:17, 23
Hebrews 12:9
Galatians 5:16-18
1 Peter 4:2
John 6:27-30 Working the works of God
John 6:27 Labour (ergazomai - to work, labour, do work, to work for, earn by working) not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
Jesus tells them not to labour for the meat which sustains life and perishes, but instead to labour for that meat which sustains life now and forever. They are undoubtedly instructed to labor for their salvation in the same manner in which they labored in seeking Him for more food. However, without proper understanding this can be grossly misunderstood. We must look at, and understand, the teachings from Ephesians 1 regarding the eternal inheritance before we can continue and rightly divide these passages.
Ephesians teaches that we obtain, or rather are bequeathed, an inheritance at the time we are adopted as children. 1 Peter 1:4 teaches that this inheritance is incorruptible, undefiled, and fades not away, being reserved in heaven for us. We become the righful owners of this inheritance without having possession of it. Ephesians then continues by teaching how God has provided a way for us to take possession of it now, in the present, as a means of power against the evil of this world. We must hear the gospel, trust in its message, believe in Christ, and thus receive the earnest of this same inheritance. This is provided to us in the form of the Holy Spirit, and is eternal life and eternal salvation, being derived from that which was freely given to us at adoption. Only now, we take possession by our works of righteousness, through faith, by setting ourselves apart, and distinguishing ourselves worthy to receive it by obedience.
John 6:28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work (ergazomai - to work, labour, do work, to work for, earn by working) the works (ergon – works required and approved) of God?
This response to His previous statement gives clear meaning to the word “labour”. They have clearly understood Him to mean they must work for, or earn, this salvation. For those who have heard the arguments that this refers to God doing the work, take note of the Greek words from which these words derive. It cannot be the work of God, because the Greek word "ergon" does not refer to laboring. Instead, it refers to the "required works" of God. In a manner of speaking, it describes a list of things that must be done, not the labor it self. This is supported in Ephesians 2:10, and is refering to the works that God foreordained that we should do, if we are to be in obedience to Him.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
The commandments could be the - ergon - "works of God", a list of things that we are commanded to do. To believe means to believe from the heart. To believe from the heart means to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, mind, and strength. Thus the "works of God" are accomplished, for Jesus said, "this do, and thou shalt live".
John 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work (ergon – required and approved work) of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
But as we see in Jesus' reply, He directs the labor of which they inquire to that of believing. Jesus is well aware that it will be His work, His crucifixion, which secures their eternal salvation, not based on anything they may or may not do, for it is by grace and grace alone. He tells them that they must perform the work of trusting and placing confidence in Him, and not the world. Simply stated, “This is the required task of God to be completed, that you believe on me”.
The next question asked indicates they are now waiting for a miracle to take place.
John 6:30 They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work (ergazomai)?
Again, their reply is evident of what they have understood Jesus to say. Having now been told that they must believe in Him, they are looking for Him to perform a miracle, "Then what sign will you do, that we may see and believe you? What miracle will you perform?"
Related passages:
2 Thessalonians 2:13
Jesus tells them not to labour for the meat which sustains life and perishes, but instead to labour for that meat which sustains life now and forever. They are undoubtedly instructed to labor for their salvation in the same manner in which they labored in seeking Him for more food. However, without proper understanding this can be grossly misunderstood. We must look at, and understand, the teachings from Ephesians 1 regarding the eternal inheritance before we can continue and rightly divide these passages.
Ephesians teaches that we obtain, or rather are bequeathed, an inheritance at the time we are adopted as children. 1 Peter 1:4 teaches that this inheritance is incorruptible, undefiled, and fades not away, being reserved in heaven for us. We become the righful owners of this inheritance without having possession of it. Ephesians then continues by teaching how God has provided a way for us to take possession of it now, in the present, as a means of power against the evil of this world. We must hear the gospel, trust in its message, believe in Christ, and thus receive the earnest of this same inheritance. This is provided to us in the form of the Holy Spirit, and is eternal life and eternal salvation, being derived from that which was freely given to us at adoption. Only now, we take possession by our works of righteousness, through faith, by setting ourselves apart, and distinguishing ourselves worthy to receive it by obedience.
John 6:28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work (ergazomai - to work, labour, do work, to work for, earn by working) the works (ergon – works required and approved) of God?
This response to His previous statement gives clear meaning to the word “labour”. They have clearly understood Him to mean they must work for, or earn, this salvation. For those who have heard the arguments that this refers to God doing the work, take note of the Greek words from which these words derive. It cannot be the work of God, because the Greek word "ergon" does not refer to laboring. Instead, it refers to the "required works" of God. In a manner of speaking, it describes a list of things that must be done, not the labor it self. This is supported in Ephesians 2:10, and is refering to the works that God foreordained that we should do, if we are to be in obedience to Him.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
The commandments could be the - ergon - "works of God", a list of things that we are commanded to do. To believe means to believe from the heart. To believe from the heart means to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, mind, and strength. Thus the "works of God" are accomplished, for Jesus said, "this do, and thou shalt live".
John 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work (ergon – required and approved work) of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
But as we see in Jesus' reply, He directs the labor of which they inquire to that of believing. Jesus is well aware that it will be His work, His crucifixion, which secures their eternal salvation, not based on anything they may or may not do, for it is by grace and grace alone. He tells them that they must perform the work of trusting and placing confidence in Him, and not the world. Simply stated, “This is the required task of God to be completed, that you believe on me”.
The next question asked indicates they are now waiting for a miracle to take place.
John 6:30 They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work (ergazomai)?
Again, their reply is evident of what they have understood Jesus to say. Having now been told that they must believe in Him, they are looking for Him to perform a miracle, "Then what sign will you do, that we may see and believe you? What miracle will you perform?"
Related passages:
2 Thessalonians 2:13
John 6 - I am that bread of life
When Jesus is tempted in the wilderness, he reveals a great truth in his rebuke of the tempter, as He proclaims, "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4, Luke 4:4, Deuteronomy 8:3) He clearly proclaims that a person cannot "live" - have life; possess life; to partake of life - by eating bread alone. He then sets forth a second condition that must also be met, which is obedience unto God. Both conditions must be achieved for a person to "live", or as defined above, to possess or partake of life. These are two distinctly different conditions which must be accomplished.
In John 6, Jesus teaches with another parable and uses bread symbolically. Within this parable, Jesus makes the following statement, "Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you." I am sure at first glance you probably see little, if any, similarity between this statement and the passage above. But when we carefully examine the meaning of this statement, using other passages from this same parable, it becomes more evident. In verses 32 & 33, Jesus uses the analogy of bread to represent Himself, by stating the following, "...my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven... For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven..." He even makes this truth very clear in verse 35, as He continues with, "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger..." And again in verse 48, "I am that bread of life." As Jesus teaches using this parable, He further distinguishes that the bread specifically refers to His flesh, or His body. This first occurs in verse 51, "I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh..." From these passages we learn that:
To this point, I have not covered the second condition spoken of by Jesus, in this chapter of John, with good reason. I wanted to establish the meaning of the bread and its role in this parable, without having to deal with two different analogies at the same time. Before I turn to this second analogy used by Jesus, I would like to cover a particular passage, within this parable, that He included.
In verse 55, Jesus stated, "For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed." An in-depth study of this passage reveals little as to the meaning that it holds. In fact the meaning is so simple, that if you look too hard, you will miss its meaning all together. Jesus is simply stating that His flesh and His blood are distinctly different. Yes, both food and water are consumed; both are required for the body to survive, but yet they are very different. Food differs from water, just as a hamburger differs from a cola. One is eaten and the other is drunk. One is solid matter and the other is liquid matter. And lastly, they each sustain the body in different ways. They are consumed differently and serve different purposes. I found the following interesting facts:
Jesus says, "...he that believeth on me hath everlasting life". The word "hath" indicates possession, such as to hold in the hand. Only those who believe possess everlasting life. How is this possible? Ephesians 1 teaches that the child of God is first adopted and given an inheritance. More specifically, it teaches that the adopted child has "obtained" this inheritance, meaning it has been bequeathed. This conveys ownership without possession. It simply means that the person has been allotted a portion of the Fathers estate. The person, having been adopted as a child, has been added to the legal declaration of how God wishes his estate to be handled. The person will take possession when he departs this world, whether by physical death or on the last day. Then further into the chapter, we find that when the person first trusts and then believes, he receives the Holy Spirit, which is the "earnest" - a small amount given in advance - of his own inheritance "until the redemption of the purchased possession". The person takes possession of the earnest, which is derived from, the inheritance the person has already been allotted. This earnest is only for the time he remains here in this world. Once the "redemption of the purchased possession" has taken place, the earnest is no longer necessary, because the person then takes possession of the fullness of the original inheritance.
According to Jesus' own words, a person need only to eat the bread to live forever. Believing - drinking the blood - is not required for a person to live forever. This supports the long held beliefs of some that regeneration, which is our deliverance from the dominion of darkness and translation into the dominion of Christ, must occur first and foremost. Then secondly, when and if the person drinks the blood, which is to believe, he partakes of the Holy Spirit, taking hold of the earnest of the inheritance, which is eternal life and eternal salvation. At this point it is very important to note that Jesus says a man need only eat of the bread to live for ever, and that a man must both, eat of the bread and drink His blood, to possess life. He NEVER states that a man can drink - believe -without having eaten - being washed by regeneration.
According to most errant theology preached today, believing brings about regeneration and must first be accomplished before a person can live forever. In this study we have discovered that Jesus does not support these false teachings. He explicitly distinguishes that it is His flesh - the Bread of Life - by which a person lives forever. The bread that He gave for the life of the elect world, was His own flesh, His own body. This means that the children of God will live for ever, as a result of His death, and not their faith. Also from this study we have seen how Jesus further proves that drinking His blood, is the same as believing. He teaches that His blood - The New Testament - provides life now, in this present world, through faith. This life that we take possession of, by our faith, is the earnest of the inheritance, which we have already obtained as a result of Christ's death. With the earnest being derived from the inheritance of eternal life and eternal salvation, the earnest which we take possession of, is therefore, of the same substance - eternal life and eternal salvation. "For we [being] many are one bread, [and] one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread." "That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life"
In John 6, Jesus teaches with another parable and uses bread symbolically. Within this parable, Jesus makes the following statement, "Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you." I am sure at first glance you probably see little, if any, similarity between this statement and the passage above. But when we carefully examine the meaning of this statement, using other passages from this same parable, it becomes more evident. In verses 32 & 33, Jesus uses the analogy of bread to represent Himself, by stating the following, "...my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven... For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven..." He even makes this truth very clear in verse 35, as He continues with, "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger..." And again in verse 48, "I am that bread of life." As Jesus teaches using this parable, He further distinguishes that the bread specifically refers to His flesh, or His body. This first occurs in verse 51, "I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh..." From these passages we learn that:
- Jesus is the bread. Verses 33, 35, 41, 48, 51
- The bread that is given is the body of Christ. Verse 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57
- "He that cometh... shall never hunger". Verse 35
- Any man that eats this bread (or flesh) will "live for ever" or "not die". Verses 50, 51, 58
To this point, I have not covered the second condition spoken of by Jesus, in this chapter of John, with good reason. I wanted to establish the meaning of the bread and its role in this parable, without having to deal with two different analogies at the same time. Before I turn to this second analogy used by Jesus, I would like to cover a particular passage, within this parable, that He included.
In verse 55, Jesus stated, "For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed." An in-depth study of this passage reveals little as to the meaning that it holds. In fact the meaning is so simple, that if you look too hard, you will miss its meaning all together. Jesus is simply stating that His flesh and His blood are distinctly different. Yes, both food and water are consumed; both are required for the body to survive, but yet they are very different. Food differs from water, just as a hamburger differs from a cola. One is eaten and the other is drunk. One is solid matter and the other is liquid matter. And lastly, they each sustain the body in different ways. They are consumed differently and serve different purposes. I found the following interesting facts:
- A person can live without food for quite some time, usually for many weeks. The body will use its fat and protein stores (muscles) to help it survive. If a person has a lot of fat stores (is very heavy), they will live longer than a person who has very little fat (very thin), so how long a person can survive depends a lot of the person. Of course, if you go without food for a few weeks, you will be very weak since you have been using your own muscles for energy.
- Water is a different story. A person will die within 3-4 days without water. The size of the person really doesn't make much difference.
- "if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live"
- "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not [his] brother abideth in death."
- "Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
- "Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? ...if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments"
- "That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life"
- "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him"
- "He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life"
- "that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life"
- "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live"
- "Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life"
- "For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord"
- "For if the casting away of them [be] the reconciling of the world, what [shall] the receiving [of them be], but life from the dead?"
- "And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life"
Jesus says, "...he that believeth on me hath everlasting life". The word "hath" indicates possession, such as to hold in the hand. Only those who believe possess everlasting life. How is this possible? Ephesians 1 teaches that the child of God is first adopted and given an inheritance. More specifically, it teaches that the adopted child has "obtained" this inheritance, meaning it has been bequeathed. This conveys ownership without possession. It simply means that the person has been allotted a portion of the Fathers estate. The person, having been adopted as a child, has been added to the legal declaration of how God wishes his estate to be handled. The person will take possession when he departs this world, whether by physical death or on the last day. Then further into the chapter, we find that when the person first trusts and then believes, he receives the Holy Spirit, which is the "earnest" - a small amount given in advance - of his own inheritance "until the redemption of the purchased possession". The person takes possession of the earnest, which is derived from, the inheritance the person has already been allotted. This earnest is only for the time he remains here in this world. Once the "redemption of the purchased possession" has taken place, the earnest is no longer necessary, because the person then takes possession of the fullness of the original inheritance.
According to Jesus' own words, a person need only to eat the bread to live forever. Believing - drinking the blood - is not required for a person to live forever. This supports the long held beliefs of some that regeneration, which is our deliverance from the dominion of darkness and translation into the dominion of Christ, must occur first and foremost. Then secondly, when and if the person drinks the blood, which is to believe, he partakes of the Holy Spirit, taking hold of the earnest of the inheritance, which is eternal life and eternal salvation. At this point it is very important to note that Jesus says a man need only eat of the bread to live for ever, and that a man must both, eat of the bread and drink His blood, to possess life. He NEVER states that a man can drink - believe -without having eaten - being washed by regeneration.
According to most errant theology preached today, believing brings about regeneration and must first be accomplished before a person can live forever. In this study we have discovered that Jesus does not support these false teachings. He explicitly distinguishes that it is His flesh - the Bread of Life - by which a person lives forever. The bread that He gave for the life of the elect world, was His own flesh, His own body. This means that the children of God will live for ever, as a result of His death, and not their faith. Also from this study we have seen how Jesus further proves that drinking His blood, is the same as believing. He teaches that His blood - The New Testament - provides life now, in this present world, through faith. This life that we take possession of, by our faith, is the earnest of the inheritance, which we have already obtained as a result of Christ's death. With the earnest being derived from the inheritance of eternal life and eternal salvation, the earnest which we take possession of, is therefore, of the same substance - eternal life and eternal salvation. "For we [being] many are one bread, [and] one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread." "That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life"
Age of accountability?
There exists among many denominations today a way of salvation known as the "Age of Accountability". The "Age of Accountability" teaches that all who die, before having achieved the ability to know the difference between right and wrong, are eternally saved automatically, by God's grace and mercy. This encompasses infants, the lives killed in abortions, the mentally challenged, and the profoundly handicapped. These groups are determined to be exempted from the standard teaching that one must believe to obtain their eternal home in heaven.
Simply put anyone that is deemed unable to fully understand the results of his actions is covered under the "Age of Accountability" exemption. Theoretically, this group is not held accountable by God, because of their lack of ability to recognize sin. But God said, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God", and He sets forth no limitations or boundaries with this statement. The "Age of Accountability" presupposes that sin must first be recognized as sin, before it is actually accountable.
Now, let me backup for a moment and take a closer look at some of the statements made to define the "Age of Accountability". A way of salvation is set forth, by this teaching, that is contrary to the normal teachings found among the very denominations, which profess this exemption. Normally, they will profess that any person that fails to believe will spend eternity in hell. They will adamantly proclaim that this is not a "works based" salvation, and that believing is not a work of righteousness. But, if we examine these two opposing paths of salvation closely, we find that the way of salvation, for those grouped under the "Age of Accountability" blanket is true grace, unearned, undeserved, unmerited, unwarranted, and is without any regard for what the person does or does not do. Salvation by faith, on the other hand, requires the person to make a decision, to become a different person, to trust and believe in God, and to set himself apart from the rest of the world, living his life as a servant of righteousness.
Salvation is first by grace, freely given to those who God chose, without prejudice. Given to every one of His elect, bequeathed to them as an inheritance at regeneration, when they are adopted as children. This resolves any issue concerning those under the "Age of Accountability" blanket above, as well as those who where in distant lands, such as the yet undiscovered continents of the Americas, Australia, etc... not only during the time of Christ, but since the beginning of the world. Yes, this also encompasses the Gentiles of the Old Testament, when God dwelled only with the children of Israel. Though they were without God, and knew not God, they were eternally saved by grace (freely). For all these, Christ was the atonement for their sins, accomplishing what no man was able to do for himself because of sin. And now, having been washed by the water of regeneration, the regenerate person can obtain salvation by faith. Salvation by faith is the earnest of the inheritance, received at regeneration, and is regarded to be a reward for obedience. Yes, salvation by faith is indeed a works based salvation. However, it also is salvation by grace, because if you had not first obtained the inheritance by grace, you could not possess the earnest of it.
Simply put anyone that is deemed unable to fully understand the results of his actions is covered under the "Age of Accountability" exemption. Theoretically, this group is not held accountable by God, because of their lack of ability to recognize sin. But God said, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God", and He sets forth no limitations or boundaries with this statement. The "Age of Accountability" presupposes that sin must first be recognized as sin, before it is actually accountable.
Now, let me backup for a moment and take a closer look at some of the statements made to define the "Age of Accountability". A way of salvation is set forth, by this teaching, that is contrary to the normal teachings found among the very denominations, which profess this exemption. Normally, they will profess that any person that fails to believe will spend eternity in hell. They will adamantly proclaim that this is not a "works based" salvation, and that believing is not a work of righteousness. But, if we examine these two opposing paths of salvation closely, we find that the way of salvation, for those grouped under the "Age of Accountability" blanket is true grace, unearned, undeserved, unmerited, unwarranted, and is without any regard for what the person does or does not do. Salvation by faith, on the other hand, requires the person to make a decision, to become a different person, to trust and believe in God, and to set himself apart from the rest of the world, living his life as a servant of righteousness.
Salvation is first by grace, freely given to those who God chose, without prejudice. Given to every one of His elect, bequeathed to them as an inheritance at regeneration, when they are adopted as children. This resolves any issue concerning those under the "Age of Accountability" blanket above, as well as those who where in distant lands, such as the yet undiscovered continents of the Americas, Australia, etc... not only during the time of Christ, but since the beginning of the world. Yes, this also encompasses the Gentiles of the Old Testament, when God dwelled only with the children of Israel. Though they were without God, and knew not God, they were eternally saved by grace (freely). For all these, Christ was the atonement for their sins, accomplishing what no man was able to do for himself because of sin. And now, having been washed by the water of regeneration, the regenerate person can obtain salvation by faith. Salvation by faith is the earnest of the inheritance, received at regeneration, and is regarded to be a reward for obedience. Yes, salvation by faith is indeed a works based salvation. However, it also is salvation by grace, because if you had not first obtained the inheritance by grace, you could not possess the earnest of it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)