speak=truth?

The doctrine of salvation by faith alone would dictate that it is not necessary to openly state such a thing.

However, since we are known and judged according to our works, I would say it's important that we do just that.

What is unfortunate is when someone makes a judgement about another person's salvation, because that person's profession of faith was not heard by the person making the judgement. We do this all the time.

 

Poor Helen Keller.

 

Romans 10:8-10 combines "mouth-confession" with "heart-believing."

I believe we confess what we have in our heart.

rufus

 

My view is taken from (for example) the following Scripture:

Luke 12
17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

The response of the soul does not have to be "audible" but a positive faith response to the Gospel, a response whose necessity is one that God alone hears.


HankD

[ February 21, 2003, 09:49 AM: Message edited by: HankD ]

 

God has only plan of salvation, whether in the OT or the NT. That is believing God.

OT example:
“For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” Romans 4:3, KJV. --> “And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” Genesis 15:6, KJV.

NT example:
“And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Acts 16:30,31, KJV.
This is the only place where the question is asked and answered directly like this.

The confession will result from what has happened on the inside.

 

"Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God." I John 4:15

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation " Rom. 10:9-10

I hope that answers your question. The Bible says to confess with the mouth, so that would seem to mean to confess with the mouth.

Charlotte

 

So all dumb people who believe in Jesus Christ are going to hell Charlotte?

HankD

 

Hank,
Do you think that because we can't hear the confession that God can't either? That confession is for the Lord and the individual.

 

Um, that's what I said a few posts back...

HankD

 

Hank, I was quoting scripture from the Bible that might apply to the quesion on this thread. Doesn't the scripture also say that God knows the hearts of man? Wouldn't that make the way for those who can not physically respond the way that this scripture supports?

God knows our prayers and is ready to answer them even before we pray them. He can read our minds and hearts, he is omniscient right? He doesn't need us to utter anything aloud, but yet this scripture says that that is what He asks us to do.

I believe that God is a God of Love and that he is not willing that anyone should perish. If you only knew my heart, you would have no need to even ask this question of me.

God Bless You Dear.
Charlotte.

 

You too Charlotte.
I am sorry if I came across as harsh.
Maybe a smiley would have helped.

I wanted to get across the idea that God is bigger than a human tongue or the ability to speak audibly.

People who are born deaf never learn to "speak".
Yet they can be and have been saved and manifest the fruit of the Spirit.

There are several Scripture that show (I gave one) that the "mouth" or "lips" or "tongue" are sometimes used metaphorically to indicate the voice of the inner man or soul.

This is the "voice" that God, who hears in secret (including persons who are "dumb"), is interested in. He hears it whether other humans hear it or not.

To me, making the Scripture require an audible voice for salvation is akin to requiring molecular H2O for the new birth.

Should we publicly proclaim our faith in whatever manner we can?
That's like asking a fish if he should swim.



HankD