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| This is a traditional "foochow" birthday dish - a bowl of red rice wine long-life noodle with two goose eggs and a pair of rooster drumsticks! |
An inquiry towards understanding "salvation by grace alone."
Bell asked:
Can a man actually be saved without hearing the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ?
Can a man actually be saved without hearing the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ?
Sing
That's a good question. “Can a man actually be saved” IN WHAT SENSE “without hearing the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ?”
Tell me, what is your question inquiring about, then I may be able to attempt an answer?
That's a good question. “Can a man actually be saved” IN WHAT SENSE “without hearing the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ?”
Tell me, what is your question inquiring about, then I may be able to attempt an answer?
The preaching and hearing of the gospel is very necessary, but only necessary for the specific purpose for which it was divinely ordained. We need to get that right.
Bell
Thanks for responding. In the sense of knowing and understanding how we obtain the gift of eternal life. Is it possible for someone to die and end up in heaven without actually knowing how it happened?
Thanks for responding. In the sense of knowing and understanding how we obtain the gift of eternal life. Is it possible for someone to die and end up in heaven without actually knowing how it happened?
Sing
"In the sense of knowing and understanding how we obtain the gift of eternal life."
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Eternal life/salvation is bestowed, a completed act, freely by the sovereign grace of God. A man DOES NOTHING to obtain it. Eternal life/salvation is bestowed to a man when he is INCAPABLE of knowing and understanding spiritual truth of the gospel, being dead in trespasses and sins. [The sad truth is even more disheartening: a man by nature is in enmity and hostility against God. Incapability is bad enough! To be in enmity against God is far worse.]
"In the sense of knowing and understanding how we obtain the gift of eternal life."
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Eternal life/salvation is bestowed, a completed act, freely by the sovereign grace of God. A man DOES NOTHING to obtain it. Eternal life/salvation is bestowed to a man when he is INCAPABLE of knowing and understanding spiritual truth of the gospel, being dead in trespasses and sins. [The sad truth is even more disheartening: a man by nature is in enmity and hostility against God. Incapability is bad enough! To be in enmity against God is far worse.]
The gospel, the good news of what God HAS DONE to save for Himself a people by His Son Jesus Christ, is absolutely necessary to inform and enlighten him - one already bestowed eternal salvation, freely by God when he was still spiritually dead in his trespasses and sins - how the eternal salvation has been purposed by God, accomplished by Christ, and bestowed upon him, all by God's free and sovereign grace.
A man does not need to know or understand about his conception and birth in order to obtain the life that he has. His conception and birth are PRIOR, and which makes possible his knowing and understanding of the life he has, of which he did ABSOLUTELY nothing to possess. The biological gospel is very useful for him to understand the origin his life, who his parents are, and how to live that life wisely.
Does this help?
Bell
Perfect. Yes, it confirms my thoughts on salvation. So, it's true that a man could be saved for years, like Abram, before he came to the knowledge, or understanding of it?
Perfect. Yes, it confirms my thoughts on salvation. So, it's true that a man could be saved for years, like Abram, before he came to the knowledge, or understanding of it?
Sing
Yes. Like a whole lot of people who never had the opportunity to know the deep mysteries of their conception and birth before they leave this world. Some even have no idea who their parents are. That ignorance doesn’t make them any less human than the most loved and well brought up children.
Their ignorance does not make them any less human than those who may be greatly enlightened on the matter, about x and y chromosones, sperms and ova, etc.
But ignorance is no bliss. It leaves men in grievous lies, errors and superstitions. And instead of living as a man made in the image of God, he may live his life as a beast, thinking he is a beast!
Yes. Like a whole lot of people who never had the opportunity to know the deep mysteries of their conception and birth before they leave this world. Some even have no idea who their parents are. That ignorance doesn’t make them any less human than the most loved and well brought up children.
Their ignorance does not make them any less human than those who may be greatly enlightened on the matter, about x and y chromosones, sperms and ova, etc.
But ignorance is no bliss. It leaves men in grievous lies, errors and superstitions. And instead of living as a man made in the image of God, he may live his life as a beast, thinking he is a beast!
Bell
Amen, Thank you for your time and effort. May God bless
Amen, Thank you for your time and effort. May God bless
Now enjoy this delicious birthday dish about conception and birth.
