Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!wuarchive!sdd.hp.com!mips!dimacs.rutgers.edu!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: jhaynes@ohstpy.mps.ohio-state.edu Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: UNBELIEVABLE GRACE Message-ID: Date: 10 May 91 07:15:14 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Lines: 106 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu Unbelievable Grace Religion! Huh, What is it good for? Absolutely None! I have been studying the Word of God for nine years now and fine that between two different religions I can not find two of them to agree. In reading Hebrews 6:1-3 "Therefore let us leave the ELEMENTARY TEACHINGS ABOUT CHRIST AND GO ON TO MATURITY, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so." (NIV) If I have this right here are the six basic doctrines of the Church i.e. body of believers. 1. Repentance from acts that lead to death. 2. Faith in God. 3. Instruction about baptisms. 4. The laying on of hands. 5. The resurrection of the dead. 6. Eternal judgment. Most of the religions of today don't even list all of these in their doctrinal statements. Usually I find one or two that they highlight that makes them different then all the rest. For example the doctrine on baptisms. The reason I am writing is the old arguement should one be old enough to reason out his or her need for salvation, should one be immersed or just sprinkled, or does one really need to be baptized at all? First of all Jesus set up the right of baptizing Matt 28:19-20 note if you will the verb is "GO MAKE" disciples the means to do this is through baptism and teaching them to obey everything Jesus commanded them. I have taken a year of Greek now to help in my studies of the New Testament and found something very interesting about the use of the words "repent and be baptized" in Acts 2:38. The Greek root word is metanaeo which means to changes ones purpose or mind. The form that it is in is the passive, 3rd person singular, imperative. Passive is that something is being done to you. The imperative usually a command if the verb is in the 2nd person but in the third person it usually is a strong request or exhortation. From reading the original Greek I have come up with this statment to answer part of the question above. To baptize is a command for thoses who share the Gospel the listener is promised to receive the Holy Spirit in baptism Acts 2:39 but if he is not and calls on the name of the Lord he or she will be saved. Luke 11:13 "If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, HOW MUCH MORE WILL YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN GIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT TO THOSE WHO ASK!"(NIV) Satan I believe loves it when we argue about the means of grace. The unbelievable part of it all once I got out of following the foolish of man is in the following verses: Matt 10:40-42 "He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. AND IF ANYONE GIVES EVEN A CUP OF COLD WATER TO ONE OF THESE LITTLE ONES BECAUSE HE IS MY DISCIPLE, I TELL YOU THE TRUTH, HE WILL CERTAINLY NOT LOSE HIS REWARD."(NIV) Wow does this reward mean Heaven for those who just give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of Jesus' disciples? YES YES YES Matt 25:37-40,46 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I TELL YOU THE TRUTH, WHATEVER YOU DID FOR ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE BROTHERS OF MINE, YOU DID FOR ME'" 46 "Then they (unrighteous) will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."(NIV) I have been giving out a lot of cold water these days, just kidding. But think about it didn't God set up an unbelievable grace that He gives salvation to those who are baptized or just the callers on His name. And they become one of the least disciples and can unknowning be spreading God's salvation. Sounds to good to be true. You heard the saing What Goes around Comes Around. Well my earthly father once told me "Son there are going to be three things on your mind when you get to Heaven: 1. Overwelmed that you are there. 2. Shocked of the ones who did make it. 3. Shocked of who is there." I thought my dad was brainwashed when he said this he is a Lutheran Pastor. I now am attending a Lutheran church myself. Not trying to push Lutherans but for the simple fact they teach the UNBELIEVABLE GRACE. I think studying the bible is great and helps us in our time of need but in this little topic I now understand why some Christians suffer and are in need so Our Heavenly Father can pass the UNBELIEVABLE GRACE ON. Religion is only are efforts to reach God where Christianity is God reaching out to mankind by UNBELIVABLE GRACE through the work of Jesus Christ. In His Hands, Joel Proverbs 27:17 "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."(NIV) 1 Thess 5:21 "Test everything and hold on to the good."(NIV)