Does Acts 2: 38 fit in harmony with the doctrine of Justification of Faith which Paul taught in the book of Romans? The book of Romans is also an epistle written to an already established church in Rome. Paul was expounding to them the extreme role that faith played in their Salvation. The scriptures which we have studied concerning Justification by Faith were written those who had already been saved. Take a look at the introduction to the epistle of Romans: Romans 1: 7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. It was written to a church that was familiar with water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ… Romans 6: 3, 4 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death... It was written to a church that was familiar with receiving the Holy Spirit… Romans 8: 14, 15 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. When we rightly divide the Word of God, as we are instructed to do so (See 2 Timothy 2:15) we receive a much clearer understanding of what Justification by Faith really means. Our faith came by hearing the Word of God. That faith caused us to come forward and ask: “What must we do?” (See Acts 2:37), just as in the beginning. When we repented of our sins and were born of water and of the Spirit (See John 3:5; Acts 2:38) we were saved by the grace of God. This is the true meaning of Justification by Faith. Paul made it perfectly clear that being justified by faith and saved by grace is not a license to live as we please. We must continue to live righteously in our everyday lives: Romans 6: 1, 2 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Romans 6: 12 – 18 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. 15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. (See also Titus 2: 11, 12) Notice that in verses 17 & 18, Paul reminds the church that they were transformed from sinfulness to righteousness when they “obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine”? Justification by Faith is more than just a mere profession of faith, it is putting feet to your faith and stepping out in obedience to God’s Word. (Series excerpt From Faith That Saves...Is Faith That Works!) @Back on Track Bible Studies - Rick Flores
Posted on: Fri, 28 Nov 2014 16:47:00 +0000
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