I don't think you are familiar with all the groups that make up evangelicalism. This is the sort of thing dispensationalists say, but not all evangelicals are dispensationalists. For example, some are amil. As much as you emphasize predestination, it is odd that you are not aware of that, since many of the Calvinist persuasion are amil.
'Literally' versus allegorical doesn't add much to your argument. Where does the Bible teach that 'crawling into a river or a baptistry is a work.' The person getting baptized isn't even doing the baptizing. If someone thought they were being justified by baptizing others, maybe you would have an argument about trusting in one's own works.
In Acts 2, did Peter tell his audience to do the works of the law in the name of Jesus Christ and receive the forgiveness of sin? When Ananias told Saul of Tarsus to by baptized and wash away his sin, was he telling him to wash away his sin through good works, or through the works of the law? If so, why would he repeat it while proclaiming Christ in the temple?
These are great verses, but how are they related to the point we are discussing.
I will believe the Bible. You can believe the Bible... or try to find contradictions where none exist.
'Literally' versus allegorical doesn't add much to your argument. Where does the Bible teach that 'crawling into a river or a baptistry is a work.' The person getting baptized isn't even doing the baptizing. If someone thought they were being justified by baptizing others, maybe you would have an argument about trusting in one's own works.
In Acts 2, did Peter tell his audience to do the works of the law in the name of Jesus Christ and receive the forgiveness of sin? When Ananias told Saul of Tarsus to by baptized and wash away his sin, was he telling him to wash away his sin through good works, or through the works of the law? If so, why would he repeat it while proclaiming Christ in the temple?
These are great verses, but how are they related to the point we are discussing.
I will believe the Bible. You can believe the Bible... or try to find contradictions where none exist.
Non-denominational Evangelical Christian.
WOW, they, in my opinion, are not true Evangelicals. They stuck out name there, but they do not believe what Evangelicals Believe.
We all pretty much BELIEVE the same identical Doctrinal Statements.
My Wife and I have have been part of this Churches in small town. In small Towns, we do not have a wide variety of Churches, but every time I have been able to find at least ONE truly Evangelical Church, no matter what Title you hang Your Hat on.
Community Churches - - - - - - - - 4
Bible Churches - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4
Evangelical Free Churches - - - 2
Baptist Churches - - - - - - - - - - - 2
Bible Fellowship Churches - - - 2
ALL OF THEM HAD THE SAME DOCTRINAL STATEMENTS in their STATEMENT OF FAITH.
Anything you do is a WORK. NO AMOUNT of works, will satisfied SIN DEBT, only a Holy Blood Sacrifice will wash away SIN.
2 Corinthians 3:5 (HCSB)
5 It is not that we are competent in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our competence is from God.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NJB)
8 Because it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith; not by anything of your own, but by a gift from God;
9 not by anything that you have done, so that nobody can claim the credit.
Romans 3:20 (HCSB)
20 For no one will be justified in His sight by the works of the law, because the knowledge of sin comes through the law.
2 Timothy 1:9 (HCSB)
9 He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.
Titus 3:5-7 (HCSB)
5 He saved us- not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
6 He poured out this Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7 so that having been justified by His grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life.
No, you can believe what you want to believe,
BUT WE WILL BELIEVE THE BIBLE.
The only pure motive for Serving Him, is to SHOW OUR LOVE FOR HIM.