Carson,
Once again thanks for your time and reply. You stated:
Baptism will be formed in us, justifying and sanctifying us unto eternal life.
My first objection to this is that it contradicts the teaching of the bible that blessings are promised at the point of obedient faith.
Not “faith only” but “faith alone” is the cause.
The one who “believes on Him and is not condemned”(Jn. 3:18)
Not “dead faith”, but faith which is ‘obedience’ to the commandment “That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ” (1 Jn 3:23; Acts 16:31)
Not non-confessing faith of some who do not TRUST in Christ (John 12:42), but faith that is TRUST in the heart, which confesses with the mouth (Romans 10:9,10).
Not faith of devils (James 2:19), but the faith of Paul when he said “ I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision” (Acts 26:19).
Here are just “some” of the blessings promised at the point of faith:
Son of God (John 1:12,13)
Indwelt by God (1 Jn. 4:15; Rom. 8:14-16; 1 Cor. 6:19)
Born of God (1 John 4:7;5:1)
Sin not imputed (Rom. 4:8)
Salvation (Acts 16:31)
Heart Purified (Acts 15:9)
Passed from death to life (John 5:24)
The bible is clear, but some are just as blind and unbelieving about these verses as the Pharisees were about the miracles our Lord. They were wedded to their traditions, they went to establish righteousness by supposedly obeying Gods word.
So I conclude that “righteousness” comes at the point of faith to the believer as it always has, even Abraham. (Romans 4:3-5)
Look forward to the discussion,
In Christ,
Bobby
Some taken from (Bob L. Ross "The Restoration Movement")
[ September 22, 2002, 03:07 PM: Message edited by: BeeBee ]