Context is ignored--as usual.Paul gives both failing and succeeding cases in the gospel context of the call to repentance as has been glaringly obvious in Rom 2:4-29.
Paul is addressing the Jews in chapter two, sometimes comparing them to the Gentiles; but it is the Jews that are the main focus of this chapter.
Romans 2:17 Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,
--It couldn't be any clearer, could it?
Again, a reference given without any context. Typical.What is interesting is that Christ also makes this same argument in Matt 7 showing the example of both the failing cases and the succeeding cases in the future judgment
What was the context in Matthew 7? Jesus was speaking specifically of false teachers, of whom he was telling his disciples to be aware of.
Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
--This is the key verse. Most of the rest of the chapter must be interpreted in the light of this verse. He is speaking of false prophets. Those who stand before him claiming to do mighty works are false prophets. He will answer to them "I never knew you." The context of Matthew 7 has nothing to do with Romans 2. The two are totally unrelated.
Give the context:Here is a clear example of future justification "DOERS of the Law SHALL be Justified".
Romans 2:13-14 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
--Paul is addressing the Jews. See the contrast to the Gentiles. He is rebuking them (the Jews), because the have the Law, the written Word of God. There is no excuse on their behalf. They ought to be ashamed of themselves (so to speak). Just because they have the OT, (which they did), and heard it preached in their synagogues, and even in the Temple, did not mean that they were justified. They had to carry out the Law. He is directing his remarks toward the Jews, those who were under the law.. But remember that the law could not save. He shames them, by contrasting them to the Gentiles, reminding them that Gentiles do not have the written Law, only God's law written in their hearts, and yet the do by nature keep the law which the Jews were not keeping. That was the point of vs.14,15. It was the strongest rebuke possible to the Jews--to contrast them to the Gentiles.
It echoes Christ's word in Matt 7 "
NOT everyone who SAYS Lord Lord will enter the Kingdom of heaven - but he who DOES the will of My Father"
What world do you live in?????
How many false prophets do the will of the Father?
Christ is speaking of false prophets. Remember? Context Bob, Context!!
Romans 2:14-16; 26-29Paul shows that the new birth effect of the Holy Spirit under the New Covenant is accomplished among the Gentiles. They have the Law written on their heart. At thend of the chapter Paul insists that this only happens by means of the Holy Spirit.
--In verses 14-16 Paul says nothing of the Holy Spirit, nothing of the New Birth, nothing of the New Covenant. The only thing that is mentioned is that they have God's moral law written in their hearts. That is they inherently know right from wrong. And when they do wrong God has given them a conscience to tell them that they have transgressed the law of God. Every man knows God's basic moral law, and when they have committed wrong against it. That is all that those verses teach.
In verses 26-29 there is nothing that relates to the plan of salvation. He declares that whether or not a person is circumcised or not he is still guilty before God. He is still a sinner. We all have sinned. His remarks are still directed to the Jew. The Jews' circumcision does not give him an advantage as a sinner before God.
Romans 2:25-26 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
--There is no gospel here; no new covenant; no new birth; nothing but condemnation of the Jew. In fact there is nothing but condemnation of those who break the law, and that is all for no one can keep the law.
Bob, you haven't answered honestly.By doing this careful reading of the text and refusing to gloss over sections of scripture that do not fit man-made traditions -- the answer to that question is a resonding "Yes"
The text that Dr. Walter referred to here is Romans 1:19-32
Your above answer was to this question:
"Now, Does Paul anywhere in this text imply or infer that any Gentile in Romans 1:19-32 who had the light of conscience and light of nature responded to that light in repentance and faith?"
You say "yes" that those mentioned in the above verses responded in repentance and faith?
Did you read the passage? If so, I can't take you seriously, or I pity your understanding of the Scriptures.
Romans 1:19-32 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
The summary verse at the end of the chapter should emphasize how wrong your answer is. These people who commit idolatry, worship and serve the creature instead of the Creator, practice homosexuality and lesbianism, do not like to retain God in their own knowledge, etc.
--These are the ones Bob whom you said:
"responded to the light in repentance and faith."
I can hardly believe your answer Bob???