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.

Tuesday, December 6, 2022

Shibboleths with blatant contradictions!

 

 

Shibboleths with Blatant Contradictions...
Dec 5, 2013
https://www.facebook.com/sing.f.lau/posts/10201105942386177

Here is a popular statement loved by the reformed folks... and some PBs too!

-- "Salvation is by God's grace (a gift). It is through faith (not of ourselves). "Plus works" is a blatant contradiction." --

... except for some obvious and deformed confusion!

1. Salvation is the gift, not God's grace. God's grace speaks of the manner in which He provided, and bestowed that salvation, i.e. freely without any condition whatsoever, and to ill-deserving recipients.

2. Salvation which is the gift of God is through faith.
- But this faith is popularly understood as man's act of believing. That's a very serious error!
- Salvation which is the gift of God is eternal salvation.
- Salvation which is through faith (man's act of believing) is temporal salvation.
- The popular notion mixes grace and work in the above popular shibboleth!!! NARY a reformed man understands the distinction between the two. But PBs should know better!!!
- So salvation by grace through faith (popularly understood as man's act of believing) is indeed a blatant contradiction!!!

3. The eternal salvation which is the gift of God is through the faith of Jesus Christ, i.e. "the fidelity, faithfulness, the character of one who can be relied on." 
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g4102/kjv/tr/0-1/

4. Faith, the act of believing, is a work of righteousness performed by a child of God, an elect ALREADY SAVED. Therefore, if that eternal salvation is through faith, then that salvation is indeed through a work of righteousness, therefore a blatant contradiction indeed!
- Yes, though saving faith is a grace worked in the heart by the indwelling Holy Spirit, it is the child of God who does the act of believing. It is his work, a work required by God! See John 6:28-29.

Amended statement:

-- "Salvation (the gift) is by God's grace (the manner the gift is provided, and bestowed). It is through faith (the fidelity) of Christ. "Through faith" (as popularly understood) is a blatant contradiction." --

Away with reformed-sounding shibboleths defiled and polluted with blatant contradictions!

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