To read the texts click on the texts: Acts 13:44-52; Jn 14:7-14
These verses continue the
teachings begun in 14:1. The one who knows Jesus also knows the Father for
Jesus reveals the Father as Father. In Jesus, one sees the Father as never
before because no one has revealed him like Jesus does. Like Thomas before him,
now Philip does not understand what Jesus is saying and in his ignorance, asks
a question. He does not realize that in seeing Jesus he has seen the Father
because of the revelation that Jesus makes of the Father. In offering himself,
Jesus has offered all the revelation that the disciples need to identify the
Father.
Jesus can only do what the
Father has told him and so his works are those of the Father. Philip and the
other disciples must be able to see Jesus as the revelation of the Father, if
not in his person, at least through the works that Jesus does. The works flow
from his person and are not separate from him but an integral part of who Jesus
is. The works, too, are works of revelation. They show that the primary aim of
God is not to condemn but to save and so are works that enhance and build up.
Since it is Jesus who sends
the disciples, the works that anyone who believes in Jesus will do will be the
same as those of Jesus. In fact, these will be able to do even greater works
than Jesus. These works will make known the whole story of Jesus as Word made
flesh and so, will be greater than those which Jesus does. Since these will be
done after the whole Christ event – death, resurrection, and ascension to the
Father – they will continue the glorification of Jesus. They will continue to reveal Jesus to the
world, sitting at the right hand of God. Jesus will answer every prayer of the
disciples made in his name and he will grant their petitions.
As Jesus made God known to
the world through unconditional, magnanimous love, so the disciples are called
to do the same. The works that Jesus did have to be continued today if Jesus is
to be made present and is to be revealed to a world that does not yet know him.
It is the present community of disciples that has the responsibility to
continue the mission that Jesus began. Whenever an enhancing word is spoken,
whenever an action that heals is done, whenever love is shown in a tangible
manner, then the work of Jesus continues and Jesus continues to be made
present.
To be sure, the revelation
of God that Jesus made can also be recognized in the depths of one’s heart, but
this is not the whole story. It is a love that must be shared and revealed to
the world if it is to be complete and whole. The incarnation was not a private
revelation given to a select few, but an earth shattering event made visible to
the whole world. So the revelation of Jesus, today, has to be done visibly and
tangibly.
SALVATION WITHOUT FORGIVENESS
ReplyDeleteIs it possible to be saved without having your sins forgiven? Was Saul saved by faith alone before his sins were forgiven?
If Saul was saved on the road to Damascus, then he was saved without having his sins forgiven.
Saul believed in Jesus on the road Damascus, but his sins were forgiven three days later in Damascus
Act 9:1-19......9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank....
Saul sins were forgiven in Damascus, three days later, not on the road to Damascus.
Acts 22:1-16.....10 And I said, 'What shall I do Lord?' And the Lord said to me, 'Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told of all that has been appointed for you to do.'.......16 Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins,calling on His name!
Saul was not saved by faith only. Saul was saved by believing and being baptized in water.
Jesus did not establish faith only salvation on the road to Damascus. Jesus confirmed what He already had said "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved"... (Mark 16:16)
You cannot be saved unless your sins have been forgiven.
In order to support the doctrine of faith only men have offered many reasons why the Scriptures cannot be trusted.
REASONS.
1. The Bible is not the inerrant word of God, it has many errors and contradictions.
2. You have to be a Greek scholar to understand the Bible. If you understand the original Greek language, then you would know water baptism is not essential for forgiveness of sins.
3. You need to use extra-Biblical writings to understand the plan of salvation.
4. The Bible has been mistranslated, therefore men are saved by faith only and not the way it is presented in the Bible.
If God is not smart enough to give men an accurate translation of His plan for salvation and Christian living, then why would anyone trust in Him for salvation or for anything else.
God has given us His plan of salvation in many translations, in different languages. You do not have to know Greek.You do not have to have a Greek dictionary. You do have to be Greek. If men had to be able to read and understand original Greek to understand the Bible, then all Bibles would be in Greek.
GOD IS INTELLIGENT ENOUGH TO GUIDE MEN TO GIVE A TRANSLATION OF THE BIBLE IN THE LANGUAGE THAT YOU READ! JUST READ IT AND BELIEVE IT.
Men are not saved by faith only and there is no verse of Scripture that states men are saved by faith only. Men are saved by faith, but not by faith only.
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