WHAT IS THE SALVATION OF THE BIBLE? In our series of examining the salvation of the Bible as we look at some of the stories and parables that have taught us in our discovery of of what these things mean and we thought that it might be useful to follow along as you search these things out for yourself and see how we arrive at some of the conclusions we come to in this or any other study of the Bible. (These are principles that we have accumulated from the Bible, that have helped us whenever we address hard issues of the Bible. ) RE-POST BASIC PRINCIPLES THAT GOVERNS ALL BIBLE DOGMA. In the days ahead, before we start our Bible studies and Bible lessons for the New year, we feel that we should all be in the same page, so to speak, in knowing what some of the fundamental truths that are generally hid in the spiritual language of the Bible. ( We would compare it to the Bill of Rights of all those that live within the jurisdictions of US jurisprudence. The Bill of Rights gives every one who is accused of a crime proper adjudication or due process under the law. It is the judge and jury in the final assessment of guilt or innocence under the law.) Understanding the Bible therefore has its rules and doctrines that God rules by and it is important for us to know right away whether we are on the right track or not. (These principles we have accumulated throughout the years in our studies and has helped us understand the Bible. We thought it would be helpful to those who desire to share in the marvelous light of the Gospel.) These are helpful as a check list to see if a doctrine that is taught,. or are considering, is biblically correct. The Bible is a single and a complete book and its doctrines all support and corroborate one another whether we are reading Genesis or Revelation. NOTE: We are never to forget that the Bible is a spiritual book and it must be understood spiritually, because the message of salvation is spiritual; 1 Corinthians 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. True understanding of scripture is therefore spiritual. We believe that people become disheartened because they do not have a basic understanding of the fundamentals principles of the Bible so we will endeavor to share accordingly. (BTW: the Bible version we use for all our lesson is the Authorized King James Version, KJV.) So here we go. FIRST PRINCIPLE: Salvation is by the grace of God alone; Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. SECOND PRINCIPLE: Not of works; - We cannot do anything (works) to get saved, Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; THIRD PRINCIPLE: God elected a people for Himself from before the foundation of the world; Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, It is through them that the Holy Spirit teaches what the mystery of the Bible means: [ Mark 4:11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: 12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.] FOURTH PRINCIPLE: Salvation is not by proxy or through another: i.e Not the father for the son and vice versa; We must each study to understand the Bible by ourselves peradventure God would teach us. 1 Thessalonians 4:11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing FIFTH PRINCIPLE: We are saved individually, not in a group; 2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. SIXTH PRINCIPLE: Salvation is by and through the Word of God, the Bible alone in its entirety. John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. SEVENTH PRINCIPLE: Faith is an essential ingredient in salvation; Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. EIGHTH PRINCIPLE: Prayer is not a function of salvation. It is also a work. John 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. NINTH PRINCIPLE: Not all will be saved. God loves His elect and hates the wicked. Romans 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Romans 9:13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. TENTH PRINCIPLE: Understanding of the Bible is given only by God, not from a seminary or university or a church; 1 Chronicles 22:12 Only the LORD give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the LORD thy God. Ephesians 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: ELEVENTH PRINCIPLE Salvation was implemented by the Godhead, and completed before the world began. Hebrews 4:3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. Christ was a Lamb predestined to be slain from before time, so salvation was already completed then. What has what we do today has anything to do with it? Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. This is a list that we have prepared out of what we have seen and heard of the Lord. There may be more but these are the essential ones that covers 99% of what we read in the Bible. You may not agree with all these principles but if you understand the Bible you will discover that all of these principles apply well in why the Bible is so hard to understand. Let me make one thing clear, we will not all understand the same things the same way necessarily because understanding is a growing in faith process; what we understand today may be enhanced tomorrow or another day or another time according to Gods timing. It may take us years to finally say, I got it. This can only be so if God will open our spiritual eyes and spiritual ears to understand. No man can make us understand the Bible except the Holy Spirit who is our teacher according to His election program. We will try and refer to this as we look at doctrine because in order for a doctrine to be acceptable it must pass the scrutiny of the whole 66 books of the Bible as we read; 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. Therefore, any and all conclusions we may make are only hypotheses and cannot be theories or biblically valid until we have exhausted the adjudication and reproof of the whole Bible. (Questions and Comments are encouraged and always welcomed.)
Posted on: Sun, 30 Nov 2014 20:15:29 +0000
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