***How does anyone know they are saved? They can only go on what they believe. We have biblical grounds for our faith. Good enough for me
I have no problem with whether it’s good enough for you. But it still reduces to the ridiculous notion that just because someone believes in it, it must be true.
Circular reasoning. Your faith authenticates the Bible and the Bible authenticates your faith.***
Sounds perfect; now reality sets in where Joe next door believes that x means y and John next to door to him believes that x means z.
Whereas in reality, neither of them have a clue because neither of the them have investigated the Faith and what the Fathers declared.
***”To all who receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12 (See Revelation 3:20.)
What do you mean “receive” him? That is such an oxymoron. Who is man to “receive” God? It seem meet that the Lord should receive us, rather than the other way around. Either we are acceptable to God or we are not, and even that would have to be according to his will and not ours.***
That is also a result of the Reformation - that God must accept us on our own human terms. The original Church belief is that God will accept us only on His terms.
What makes you think, in ANY way, that the Reformers taught God must accept us on OUR terms?
It is the Catholic Church that would have people winning favor by their good deeds - accepting people on their terms - rather than by grace through faith.
You have no love for Calvin, and I have mixed feelings - but he did NOT teach that “God must accept us on our own human terms.”
“Whereas in reality, neither of them have a clue because neither of the them have investigated the Faith and what the Fathers declared.”
They will be OK if they have investigated what GOD has declared!
And, might I add, after some of the recent threads, it feels GOOD to discuss something with someone who won’t command the earth to swallow me & my dogs!
Yes, and then Joe starts a new "First" Baptist Church...down the street.
That is also a result of the Reformation - that God must accept us on our own human terms. The original Church belief is that God will accept us only on His terms
Amen to that, Mark! This is the same mindset that created "fellowship" with the Almighty. God is, after all, just our "senior fellow" in this club. LOL!