Thread split - discussion of role of scripture in salvation

[MemberOfBride]

Studying the Bible is how you become born again.
Jhn 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.
This is how we communicate with God. This is what we have here as our guide and direction.

Jhn 4:24 God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth.

The word is the truth and then we receive the Holy Spirit. Then we have knowledge.
People I talk to - they say the Bible is hard to understand - thees, and thous and etc. That is such a lame excuse. But if they want to become lawyers or make lots of money - they will surely study law or way vigoursly- won't they?
It starts with a desire to know the Lord. Then it all fall into place..
People need to understand that this is the most important decision that they will ever ever make. And that is the question - Where do you want to spend eternity?? Once they realize that your soul never dies - it goes into everlasting damnation in Hell OR everlasting life with the Lord. Once one realizes this - watch how fast they that desire everlasting life seek the real truth vigoursly!!

[Light]

My experience falls more on Janey's side. I realize that many became Christian while reading the Bible. But in my case, I had very little understanding of Scripture (apparently it was enough to be saved) when I had others lay hands on me and I received the Holy Spirit. THEN, I read the Bible--couldn't get enough of it! In about a year I was so fortified with Scripture, that I was a completely different person.

[Jany]

Yes, Light, many come to know the Lord as their Saviour after reading His Word, but with me, again, I never read it at all. I came to know Him watching Dr. Charles Stanley, In Touch Ministry. In my front room, watching his "show" did I accept the Lord as my Saviour.

Now, as he preaches, keep in His Word and read it every day! How is one to Know Him if you one doesn't? In agreement! :thumb <><

[Medic911]

member said I would have to disagree with that comment - I never read one word of Scripture when I became a Believer <><

I have to also. I think I get her meaning, but technically it's incorrect.
Studying the Bible is absolutely essential to our spiritial growth, to be sure...! but it isn't what saves us.

[MemberOfBride]

Hearing or reading the Gospel is both the same.....
Jhn 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
We are already chosen - those who will understand....
After all - the Lord knows the future- right?....Example...........
Mar 14:30 And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, [even] in this night, before the **** crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.

[MemberOfBride]

It's amazing how Scripture is interperted by our minds individually... We are assured that we will know if we are sealed............

Eph 1:13 In whom ye also [trusted], 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

[carmen]

Hearing or reading the Gospel is both the same..... True. However, hearing or reading the gospel doesn't provide one with salvation--that would be a work and the bible is clear that our salvation doesn't come by works.

To say that studying God's word makes you born again is not correct, and I'm confused as to your meaning....my apologies if I misunderstood :):

We cannot even come to salvation unless God first draws us to Him, giving us the faith and enabling us to believe.

It's amazing how Scripture is interperted by our minds individually... We are assured that we will know if we are sealed............

Eph 1:13 In whom ye also [trusted], 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:confused I am also confused at your interpretation of this? It doesn't state that you will know absolutely that you are saved (assuming that is what you mean by "sealed). Salvation is by faith. Faith, by definition, necessitates some measure of lack of absolute knowledge.

Romans 8:16 comes closer to stating that we can have knowledge of our salvaiton through the tesimony to our spirit by the Holy Spirit. However, read in context we see that Paul is talking about those that are living by the Spirit and putting to death the flesh. Some Christians that are still learning how to walk in the Spirit do go through a time where they lack a sense of this testimony and then experience doubt. Also, if Christians sin and do not repent, then distance from the Lord results and again, we are left with doubt because of our lack of ability to sense this testimony.

I also believe, based on the the many strong Christians that have experienced a time of dryness in their walks, that there are simply times when we may not "feel" we are saved, even with our walk is right and we have no outstanding sins to deal with but God doesn't provide the same level of assurance.

Nonetheless we come to God by faith, and our feelings are not relevant to the standing of our salvation. Feelings are only mentioned twice the entire bible; faith is mentioned more than 400 times. Even if we don't "feel" saved, that does not negate our salvation.

[carmen]

I split this from the thread in Birth Pangs because the topic went so far from the OP and the intent of that forum :):