Things New and Old

Ancient truths revealed in the Scriptures are often forgotten, disbelieved or distorted, and therefore lost in the passage of time. Such ancient truths when rediscovered and relearned are 'new' additions to the treasury of ancient truths.

Christ showed many new things to the disciples, things prophesied by the prophets of old but hijacked and perverted by the elders and their traditions, but which Christ reclaimed and returned to His people.

Many things taught by the Apostles of Christ have been perverted or substituted over the centuries. Such fundamental doctrines like salvation by grace and justification have been hijacked and perverted and repudiated by sincere Christians. These doctrines need to be reclaimed and restored to God's people.

There are things both new and old here. "Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things" 2Ti 2:7.

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Saved by grace through faith


https://www.facebook.com/sing.f.lau/posts/2278898927430
November 30, 2011

This statement is an example of rightly dividing the word of truth, i.e. a biblical distinction is the essence of sound theology.

"I don't agree with the expression "Justified by grace through faith". It is common, yes, but I think not biblical. The biblical expression is "saved by grace through faith". We are not justified by grace or faith. Specifically, we are justified by the finished work of Christ. By the grace of God, we have such a work done on our behalf, true enough, but it is the work and not the grace by which we have the work of Christ that justifies." Hubert Maloy

Sing F Lau
The faith of Jesus Christ is the ground and basis of legal justification.

The grace of God is the manner that saves us, i.e. He applies the works of Jesus Christ to His elect freely and sovereignly.

The faith of the believer IN Jesus Christ evidences that salvation by God's free grace and is the means appointed to experience the blessedness of that salvation freely bestowed by God.

Richard Tilton
I hear and agree with what you're saying. How do you fit this into that.

Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

We know that the end of chapter 3 where it says He was raised from the dead for our justification, which points to Christ's work alone, but chapter 5 verse 1 has a connection with our faith. Trust me I'm not arguing any type of man-made salvation because of my faith, which is a joke as it is totally the gift of God. I personally was more interested in my goals and my interests than contributing anything to why I was born again some 35 years ago and brought into God's family which was the 100% work of God.

Sing F Lau
Richard, since you ask such a good question, I will own you a Brother <LOL> and give you the biblical reason. may our Lord open your eyes to the wonderful truth.

The biblical doctrine of Justification is like a multifaceted dazzling jewel... but SO VERY many see it as a plain glass marble!

Here is the multifaceted jewel of justification:
- There is justification purposed in eternity
- There is justification legally accomplished at the cross
- There is justification personally applied at effectual calling
- There is justification practically experienced by believing
- There is justification consummated on judgment day!

Rom 5:1 speaks of the experiential aspect... 'we have peace with God. Faith IN Jesus Christ is the means appointed for the justified to experience the blessedness of their justified state by God's free grace.

Rom 3 speaks of the legal aspect at the cross, and how that legal justification is APPLIED... freely by His grace.
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Read more here:
https://things-new-and-old.blogspot.com/2009/09/therefore-as-arminians-reject-doctrine.html
Things New and Old: THEREFORE AS the Arminians..., EVEN SO, the Calvinists...!

Sing F Lau

Richard, take a look here too:
https://things-new-and-old.blogspot.com/2011/05/three-distinct-sets-of-contrast-in.html

Things New and Old: Three Distinct Sets of Contrast in the Biblical Doctrine of Justification

Richard Tilton
Wow Sing you're over my head with so much material to study, I'm glad that there is a minister of the gospel in your part of the world who studies Theology like you do. I need to study all you're saying. I'm a layman who studies the Scriptures but take care of my 79-year-old mother and its difficult to stay on top of all this study with working a full-time job....pls remember me in your prayers, but will study it through, please give me time, you sure bring up challenges for one's study.....but we do agree its totally of grace period and I will stand on that being God's work and nothing we do!! I God has done it all through Christ's work period!!!! I will remember you and your ministry and family in prayer! Blessings!

Sing F Lau
May our Lord bless according to His promises for honoring your parent, and grant you the desire of your heart to study and know His word. Amen and amen.

Richard Tilton
Thanks, Sing, can I ask you are a Calvinist in one sense or so, though we know Calvin was a man who lived over 500 years ago, his views have to line up with Scripture and if he was right on many issues, I don't see it so wrong that we adhere to some of what he said. Do you consider yourself a 5 point Calvinist in that sense alone? And maybe there's more to consider I'm sure. But just the 5 points the way we see them, do you believe them without going way outside the way the 5 points have come down to us without turning them into something else. Again brother, I want to cling to Scripture alone, so in one sense Calvin's 5 points mean nothing if Scripture does not hold it to be true. However, the Arminian view of a man doing something to earn or come into this relationship with God outside of Christ's perfect work alone, we know is not what the Bible teaches.

Sing F Lau
I agree with Calvin where he agrees with the Scriptures.

Do I agree with the 5 TULIP points? That depends on who defines the 5 points. 2 points - the 4th and the 5th - have been perverted by new school Calvinists into CONDITIONAL grace!

Charles Page
LOL, all five points have been perverted by the new school Calvinist into conditional grace! one rotten apple will rotten the whole if left unattended. American Evangelical Christianity is a bushel basket full of rotten apples.

Sing F Lau
Charles Page, you are probably right.
Please tell us briefly the perversion of each of the five points here.

I have first-hand experience with those who perverted the 4th and the 5th points.

Charles Page
T - has to be limited or partial depravity (Catholics call it congruent merit)
U - has to be modified to a conditional election. condition on foresight
L - universal atonement (potentially for everyone)
I - resistible grace, grace that can be rejected
P - perseverance of the believing person - ie, the faith of the believer

All the above fit together in a pattern - either you reject all the TULIP or you modify them all but not a one can mingle with the rest one-or-all either way!

 

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