Featured PB View of Romans 3:21-26

What do Primitive Baptists do with Romans 3:25?

Rom. 3:21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

It seems the entire passage is referring not to the temporal benefits of Gospel repentance, but to the ETERNAL salvation purchased by Christ's propitiatory sacrifice on the cross, and the Justification and imputed righteousness that comes with it...but it says in v. 25 that this is "to be received by faith."

I realize PB's and some Calvinists will argue that in verse 22 it should rightly read "faith OF Jesus Christ." But those arguments don't even matter in light of v. 25, in which receiving these gifts are liked to the faith of the receiver.

It seems Romans 3:25 refutes the PB idea that ETERNAL salvation has nothing to do with the faith of the one saved...that such a person may be saved without exercising faith to receive the gift...that (As one PB told me once) a secular religion professor who completely denies the real truth of scripture, is in fact by the very nature of his interest in studying the bible as a literary work, revealing that he is in fact regenerate and will see eternal salvation.

 

As I said, I think there are good arguments for v. 22 refering to the faith (or faithfulnesss) OF Christ as that which saves us...however it is also:
-FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVE (v.22)
-TO BE RECIEVED BY FAITH (v. 25)
Therefore, the gift of salvation, righteousness, justification, is recieved by faith of the recipient.

I Believe Salvation/Conversion/Regeneration are a one-time event, not progressive, in which we are justified and receive imputed righteousness and are adopted by God, and are therefore situationally holy and secured for heaven...though we are not yet experientially/practically perfect yet. (The idea of progressive sanctification).

 

Perhaps logically, but not temporally. I would say a regenerate person is made alive with Christ (Eph. 2) and at that moment believes... Belief is an evidence of spiritual life.

 

Bump...waiting.

 

Oops, missed your link until now...QUOTED HERE;

1. This answer does not address Romans 3:25...it merely says that the other verses negate what it seems to say.

2. You say those who receive christ, the blood has already been applied...but Romans says those benifits are "received by faith." How do you reconcile the two? That's my primary question. I don't need you to tell me the PB position on the relationship between Eternal salvation and personal faith (none), I'm asking about this verse specifically.

 

So would you disagree with the view expressed below...It was given to me by another Primitive Baptist.

 

FYI FOR THOSE INTERESTED...THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXCHANGE BETWEEN FOREST, A PRIMITIVE BAPTIST, AND ME...FROM THE BB ABOUT A YEAR AGO (THIS IS NOT ALL WE WROTE, BUT GIVES THE GIST OF OUR BACK & FORTH):


FOREST: Sometime in the elect's life God quickens them to a spiritual life, which usually comes unnoticed (like a breeze, we know not whence it cometh nor where it goeth). Sometime after they are born again, they are converted (changed from walking in the flesh too walking in the Spirit).

...Paul was taught at the feet of Gameael. He was well versed in the old testament scriptures. The natural man who has not been born again cannot discern spiritual things, they are foolishness unto him, 1 Cor 2:14.


12STRINGS: Let me see if I understand you:
1. Anyone who studies OT Theology must by definition be born again because if they weren't they wouldn't understand ANY of it?
2. Those who are born again may commit heinous sins without repentance?
3. Those born again may or may not actually believe the Gospel?


FOREST: The answer is yes to your first three questions. You will never understand the grace of God until you understand the depravity of man.


12STRINGS: I find this extremely surprising. There are countless "bible scholars" in secular institutions who reject the scriptures inspiration and reject the Jesus they point to. I am baffled as to how you can say that ALL of such people are by definition of their having read and studied the OT, born from above.


FOREST: Then you must not understand the meaning of 1 Cor 2:14, But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. The natural man has no desire to know God, or to want to read and study the scriptures.

FOREST: Is it my understanding that you believe that the natural man, void of the Spirit, will pursue righteousness? If so, what is your explination of 1 Cor 2:14?, and Ps 10:4?


12STRINGS: Yes, that is your understanding of what I believe...

... but NO, that is not what I beleive. I believe that God grants faith at the point of regeneration, and that faith is exercised to "recieve" (Rom 3) the righteousness and Justification purchased by Christ on the cross.


FOREST: Faith gives us access to the understanding that it was Christ that justified us. Rom 5:2.

 

No resentment...I just had not heard of your beliefs at all until a year ago...It all sounded very odd to me...It took me a month or so of research and debate on here to get the point where I feel Like I can fairly explain your beliefs if someone asked me to.

Now, since it came up in a previous thread started by someone else...I thought I'd see if I could delve deeper into your scriptural justification for your positions, and how you explain certain texts.

The music side of it has nothing to do with it...I don't need a guitar, or even music to worship God...but I don't think they are forbidden, either, any more than pews or electric lights.