Ephesians 2 is not preaching faith alone.

[Inquisitor]

No, because every verse of Scripture is true, but not every verse has written the whole gospel, doctrine, and prophecy of Scripture.

Every verse of Scripture must be studied, believed, and taught in context of all Scripture from Genesis - Revelation. If any true verse of Scripture is left out of the true gospel and Jesus Christ, then it's a cursed gospel diminishing Scripture of God.

Deu 4:2
Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

Those who diminish repentance from dead works for Jesus' sake, also diminish keeping His commandments, as being hearers of His words only, and not doers.



So you would disagree with each of these verses, because they don't include grace? Neither ought they be disagreed with, because they don't include repentance.

They should be believed as true with repentance and grace. Nor can they be done without repentance and grace.

Ezek 18:31
Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

Luke{13:2}
And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

So, do you disagree with theses verses, because they don't include 'doing nothing' to be justified by faith-alone? Or, do you agree with the Scriptures that unless we also repent, we will perish like any unrepentant sinner on earth?

Mat 4:17
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

The gospel of Jesus Christ begins with repentance from sinning against Him.

Mark{1:15}
The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Acts 3:19
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

2 Cor 7:10
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of:

No one can believe the gospel, be converted to, nor saved by Jesus Christ, without first repenting of sinning against Him.

Heb 6:1
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

The first principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ is repenting from dead works, to have faith toward God. No one can have the faith of God to go on to perfection and resurrection unto life, without first repenting.

Any gospel diminishing or disannulling repentance from all sins and trespasses, as being unnecessary to believe, be converted, saved, and resurrected from the dead in Jesus' likeness, is another gospel of unrepentant sinful man's own making-alone.

Salvation is a free gift given to those that believe in Jesus.

No amount of wrangling by you or anyone else can change that.

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

On believing in Jesus for our salvation then we are given the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 1:13
In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation, having also believed,
you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22
Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us
the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.

Ephesians 4:30
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Salvation is a FREE GIFT and cannot be earned.

The Christian life is another subject altogether that allows us to remain in that saved state.

Salvation is a free gift secured by GRACE through faith and that belongs to Christ alone.

 

[Inquisitor]

No one can believe the gospel, be converted to, nor saved by Jesus Christ, without first repenting of sinning against Him.

That is not true.

Repentance does not come first because your dead in your sin and in rebellion against God.

No one can repent of their sin without the conviction of the Holy Spirit, your dreaming.

It takes a long time as a Christian before you will ever see the depth of your real sin.

How long did it take Peter before he realized that he would betray Jesus a the critical moment?

Two years of walking with the Lord of heaven and earth?

Don't tell me you repented of your sinful nature before Jesus saved you.

You have upended the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

[ATG]

Your saying that I will be judged because my repentance is minimal?

You're saying from the Scriptures given, that you will be judged for minimal repentance.

Progressive partial repentance of man's will is rejected by the Lord, that needed die for all sins, not just some.

Faith-alone justification minimalizes repentance for their own religion.

John 3:18
He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because
he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

How can I be judged if I believe and confess the name of Jesus Christ?

Mat 15:8
This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

Mat 7:21
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

2Ti 2:19
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
How can any man confess the Lord Jesus and obey Him with a whole heart, without repenting from all sins and trespassing against Him?

Rom 10:9
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

 

[ATG]

You misunderstood that the crucifixion was the fulfillment of the sacrifice of the lamb once a year.

You misunderstand that if Jesus' shed blood atones for sins, then He must sacrifice Himself every time He forgives a soul.

If you believe that faith in Jesus' shed blood alone atones for your sins, then your faith-alone rejects the need of Jesus's resurrection for justification with God.

Rom 10:9
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Rom 4:25
Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Salvation is not by believing in Jesus' death alone. Justification is not by Jesus' shed blood alone.

No blood shed means no redemption and no new covenant.

Correct, because no sprinkling of shed blood has no covenant nor atonement.

The new covenant was based on that fulfillment of the law, the death of the lamb of God.

Already quoted the law commanded sprinkling of the shed blood for covenant atonement.

Deu 4:2
Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

People diminish Scripture in order to not keep commandments. So it is by faith-alone in Jesus' shed blood:

People who trust in Jesus' shed blood alone, need not repent to be sprinkled with the blood of His resurrection. Hence, People who repent not of transgressions, keep not the commandments of Scripture.

All diminishing of Scripture is to keep not the commandments of God.

Luke 22:20
And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you
is the new covenant in My blood.

1 Corinthians 11:25
In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood;
do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

Catholic communion wine sanctified to be the blood of Jesus Christ, is false idolatry.

Jhn 6:54
Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.

Did you drink Jesus' blood shed on the cross? Eat His flesh?

Hebrews 12:24
And to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than
the blood of Abel.

Jesus was not mediating and sprinkling His blood from the cross, to atone for the wicked hands crucifying Him.

The righteous shed blood of Jesus Christ cried out condemnation the same as that of righteous Abel and the prophets.

Only the Spirit's sprinkled blood of resurrection from the dead, can atone for them that repent of His death for our sins.

No man is atoned for, nor has any covenant with Jesus Christ, by shedding His blood unto death.

 

[Dino246]

You're saying from the Scriptures given, that you will be judged for minimal repentance.

Progressive partial repentance of man's will is rejected by the Lord, that needed die for all sins, not just some.

Faith-alone justification minimalizes repentance for their own religion.

Again, this has nothing to do with the genuine belief in faith alone. Regarding “progressive partial repentance” there is no Scripture supporting your assertion.

 

[Dino246]

if Jesus' shed blood atones for sins, then He must sacrifice Himself every time He forgives a soul.

That is unbiblical hogwash. Jesus died ONCE, FOR ALL.

 

[BillyBob]

In regard to 1 John 5:16, certain folks jump to the conclusion that John is talking about a believer committing a certain sin that leads them to spiritual death, but that does not fit the context.

Becoming saved and placed into Christ is just the beginning of our Christian journey. It only requires hearing his word and having faith the size of a mustard seed. The Holy Spirit has planted that seed but our growth, understanding, and maturing in Christ has just begun.

Some say that even then we may be lost. I do not believe that this is so. We continue to be sanctified into what God desires us to become. For some will become great ministers leading many to faith while others may become a street sweeper in Heaven. But each of them will be satisfied knowing that they were saved by what Christ has done for them.

The book of 1 John has much to say about how Christians [those in Christ] should live their lives. But nowhere does it suggest that we will lose salvation if we fail to do so. However, 1 John 2:5-6 does say that we are perfected by keeping His word and by doing so we will gain assurance. Plus, if we are in Him we should desire to walk in the same way in which he walked.

 

[ATG]

Either you have stopped sinning or you have not stopped sinning?

If you have not stopped sinning why would you tell others to repent, when you have not
repented yourself.

Since it's Scripture that commands repentance from all sins and trespasses, then it's Jesus Christ the righteous commanding repentance unto salvation.

Luk 16:31
And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

And yet, Jesus has risen from the dead and tells us the same as Moses and the prophets, to repent lest we die likewise as all sinners against the Lord.

 

[ATG]

Which blood was shed on the cross? Jesus' natural blood.

True. The natural blood of His body on the cross.

Which blood was then offered in the heavenly tabernacle? Jesus' natural blood.

False.

1Co 15:50
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

Jhn 3:6
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Jhn 6:54
Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed…

We drink the blood of the Spirit and of life, not the natural blood of any man, which is contrary to the law of God and Christ.

People corrupt Scripture by teachings things in Scripture, that are contrary to the teaching of Scripture.

2Pe 3:15
As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

For there to have been another kind of blood, Jesus would have to have been sacrificed more than once.

For there to be only natural blood, Jesus would need be sacrificed however often people drink thereof.

Jhn 6:54
Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed…It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

For there to be only natural blood, Jesus would have been speaking of His natural blood to drink, and not that of the Spirit and of Life.

1Co 2:14
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.

You have a wacky idea of Jesus' atoning sacrifice...

Scripture has been quoted of the law commanding sprinkling of the shed blood upon the people, and not shedding of the blood upon the altar alone.

Isa 30:9
That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:

almost like you've been steeped in cultic lore instead of actual Scripture and sound teaching.

Certainly like you've been steeped in the cultic tradition of faith-alone, instead of the sound teaching of quoted Scripture.

Jesus' shed blood alone atoning for sins, rejects the law of sprinkling and the resurrection of Christ for justification with God.

Believing in the shed blood alone to atone for sins, rejects the law of sprinkling and faith in the resurrection of Christ for justification with God.

That's an idiotic misrepresentation of the truth and verges on heresy.

Heresy to the sinners' tradition of faith-alone justification, certainly.

Jesus' blood shed on the cross is an effectual sacrifice for sin.

True

The blood Jesus shed two thousand years ago pays for the sin of repentant believers today, just as it paid for the sin of repentant believers throughout history.

False faith-alone tradition.

No Scripture says Jesus shed His own blood at any time on earth. He did not commit suicide by cross.

Act 2:23
Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

Sinful man shed Jesus' blood on a cross. Jesus paid the price of submitting to the hands of sinful man.

Act 2:33
Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

Tit 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; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

The only blood Jesus sheds is of the Spirit, upon all them that repent of sinning against Jesus on the cross.

The resurrection is part of the gospel, but the atonement is through Jesus' death, not through His resurrection.

Jesus' resurrection is the only way to repent and be justified with God. No man has covenant nor atonement without repentance and justification.

 

[ATG]

That isn’t what the text says.

That's what all the Scriptures of the gospel says.

Isolating one verse of Scripture from all other Scripture, is false teaching against Scripture.

You have misunderstood what “repentance unto life” means because you have isolated the words from their context.

1 Tim 6:3
He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

2 Cor 7:10
For godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation not to be repented of:

Repentance is unto salvation and unto life.

 

[ATG]

ATG said:
Anyone who skips repentance to have faith-alone in Christ, has only their faith-alone that does nothing to be saved and justified by their faith-alone.

You persist with your wacky misrepresentation of faith alone.

What do you do by your faith-alone, to be saved and justified with God?

 

[ATG]

The Christian life is another subject altogether that allows us to remain in that saved state.

With faith-alone justification, how they live is indeed entirely different from being saved and justified with Christ

You however agree with Scripture, that the believer is justified by doing good work.

No believer remains saved, that is doing evil, any more than the devils that believe, but are not saved and justified with Christ.
James 2:14
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

Jas 2:18
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

Salvation is a free gift secured by GRACE through faith and that belongs to Christ alone.

So, you're not preaching faith-alone in Christ, but faith in Jesus Christ alone, and not in any other god nor christ.

Gal 4:8
Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.

If you agree with these things from Scripture, then I'll be more than glad to hear your salvation by grace through faith...not through faith-alone.

 

[ATG]

That is not true.

Scriptures are given.

Show how the Scriptures are not saying what they say, when the beginning of the gospel preached by Jesus is repent, and believe the gospel. And then preached by Peter to repent, and be converted by the gospel. And then confirmed by Paul that repentance is the first principle of faith toward God.

The gospel of Jesus Christ according to the Scriptures, is repentance to believe God and be converted to the kingdom of God. No repentance, no faith toward God, nor conversion of Jesus Christ.

Repentance does not come first because your dead in your sin and in rebellion against God.

Only those sinning and trespassing against God can repent.

Dan {4:27}
Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquility.

Those doing good righteousness of God, need no repentance:

2 Cor 7:10
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of:

No one can repent of their sin without the conviction of the Holy Spirit, your dreaming.

You're confusing the argument.

Only sinners can repent of their sinning, which can only be by conviction of the Spirit for sinning. Which is why godly sorrow working repentance is granted by God unto salvation and life.

Jhn 6:44
No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Acts{11:18}
When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the nations granted repentance unto life.

Neither the work of repentance nor faith toward God is our own alone, but only given by God to be freely saved and justified with Him.

Acts{3:19}
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:

2 Cor 7:10
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of:

Ephesians 2:8
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, that any man should boast.

Both the work of repentance and the faith of God are the gift of God, not the work of man, that can be boasted of.

 

[Just_A__Follower]

I’ve never seen someone try so hard to turn a FINISHED VICTORY into a pending transaction.

 

[Inquisitor]

Only sinners can repent of their sinning, which can only be by conviction of the Spirit for sinning.

I am not confusing the debate your attempting to place repentance (turning to Jesus), before
the gospel is heard and believed!

That is a paradox.

As I previously said; your sinning is relentless.

You constantly commit sin in your thought life at a minimum.

1 John 1:10
If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.

If you infer that some how you obey the ten commandments but transgress them.

Then you are a liar and His word is not in you.

You condemn me on the basis of some Catholic interpretation.

 

[Inquisitor]

With faith-alone justification, how they live is indeed entirely different from being saved and justified with Christ

You however agree with Scripture, that the believer is justified by doing good work.

No believer remains saved, that is doing evil, any more than the devils that believe, but are not saved and justified with Christ.
James 2:14
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

Jas 2:18
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.



So, you're not preaching faith-alone in Christ, but faith in Jesus Christ alone, and not in any other god nor christ.

Gal 4:8
Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.

If you agree with these things from Scripture, then I'll be more than glad to hear your salvation by grace through faith...not through faith-alone.

I place the importance of salvation by the grace of our Lord above everything else.

I stop at the cross and look at the crucified Christ.

Luke 22:20
And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you
is the new covenant in My blood."

His death granted me life eternal.

He rose so I have risen and will rise.

Jesus is the beginning and end of everything.

Ephesians 2:8

Grace comes first.

By grace you have been saved...

For by grace you have been saved through faith...

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

 

[Inquisitor]

I’ve never seen someone try so hard to turn a FINISHED VICTORY into a pending transaction.

You get that impression.

We will obey what Moses wrote (Exodus 24).

 

[Fillan]

Works will always follow a true living faith, not because of effort, but because our desires have been changed.

Hello. I agree. Having an attitude of gratitude for what God has done for us, we will try to do things for his Kingdom. God Bless

 

[Inquisitor]

With faith-alone justification, how they live is indeed entirely different from being saved and justified with Christ

You however agree with Scripture, that the believer is justified by doing good work.

No believer remains saved, that is doing evil, any more than the devils that believe, but are not saved and justified with Christ.
James 2:14
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

Jas 2:18
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.



So, you're not preaching faith-alone in Christ, but faith in Jesus Christ alone, and not in any other god nor christ.

Gal 4:8
Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.

If you agree with these things from Scripture, then I'll be more than glad to hear your salvation by grace through faith...not through faith-alone.

Your attempting to say we are saved by Jesus and by our obedience.

Jesus plus obedience = immortality

 

[Inquisitor]

Since it's Scripture that commands repentance from all sins and trespasses, then it's Jesus Christ the righteous commanding repentance unto salvation.

Luk 16:31
And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

And yet, Jesus has risen from the dead and tells us the same as Moses and the prophets, to repent lest we die likewise as all sinners against the Lord.

In the law, if you transgress one or more of the ten commandments then there cannot be
a repentance. For example, let's say you transgress the sabbath commandment in front of
my friend and myself. My friend and I got straight to the Pharisees and inform them of your
transgression. Then you are arrested and based on the testimony of our witness, you are
executed.

The law made no provision for willful transgression of the commandments and for an
assortment of serious ceremonial laws. You were only forgiven for sin that was not intentional.

Under the Law of Moses, forgiveness by animal sacrifice was primarily designated for unintentional sins,
errors, or sins of ignorance (Leviticus 4:2, 13, 27), rather than serious, premeditated, or "high-handed" offenses.
(Google)

If you are bound by the ten commandments (under the law) then, do not transgress a commandment!